Know Bad Breath or Halitosis Meaning, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

Understanding

Halitosis is a condition in which a person has bad breath. In society, this disorder is better known as bad breath. This disorder is a problem that is often experienced by many people.

Basically, bad breath is divided into two groups, namely bad breath due to natural causes and bad breath due to unnatural causes. Bad breath for natural reasons, for example, the smell of your breath in the morning or when you are fasting. Meanwhile, bad breath due to unnatural causes is usually associated with more serious health problems.

Halitosis is often seen as something to be ashamed of. If not treated immediately, bad breath can reduce your confidence. It’s not even impossible that halitosis that is left unchecked can reduce your quality of life.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of halitosis or bad breath is carried out through a series of interviews and a thorough physical examination of the oral cavity and teeth. An examination is also carried out on the nose and throat area – if there are wounds.

If the possibility of systemic disease is suspected, other supporting examinations are needed. Checks that can be done are:

• Endoscopy
• Abdominal X-ray
• Chest X-ray

Symptoms

The most easily recognizable symptoms of halitosis are:

• The smell of bad breath from inside the mouth
• Mouth feels dry
• There is a white coating on the surface of the tongue that allows bacteria to grow

Treatment

Halitosis or bad breath due to natural causes (such as bad breath when you wake up) can be overcome by brushing your teeth. However, halitosis due to unnatural causes requires more serious treatment.

Here are some things that can be done to overcome the problem of halitosis:

• Brush your teeth twice a day. The best time to do this is in the morning (after breakfast) and at night (before going to bed).
• Replace the toothbrush after 3 to 4 months. If before the time to replace the toothbrush is damaged and uncomfortable to use, replace it immediately.
• Perform cleaning the surface of the tongue regularly. This can be done using a soft toothbrush or tongue cleaner.
• Floss once a day to remove plaque and food debris stuck between the teeth. You can also use mouthwash to clean areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.
• Using an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth. For example, mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. Consult with your dentist first in using the mouthwash.
• Perform scaling (cleaning tartar).
• Immediately repair and patch cavities.
• Quit smoking and use of tobacco products.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.
• Consume sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva to help wash away food debris and bacteria.
• Watch your diet. Avoid or reduce foods that can trigger bad breath.
• Clean dentures and remove them while sleeping at night.
• Make regular visits to the dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups and cleanings.

Reason

Halitosis can be caused by many things. Some of them are:

• Poor oral hygiene Without good mouth cleaning, leftover food will remain in the mouth. This can trigger the development of bacteria in the mouth and on the surface of the tongue which causes bad breath. In addition, food residue that sticks to the teeth, gums and tongue will cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and cavities. The result is an increase in bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Poor cleaning of dentures. Dentures that are not cleaned properly can cause food residue and bacteria to build up on the denture surface. This can trigger the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
• The disease of the gums or periodontal tissue (tissue supporting the teeth).
• Systemic disease. Bad breath can be a symptom of certain diseases, such as respiratory infections, digestive disorders, diabetes, or liver disorders.
• Xerostomia (dry mouth). The use of certain drugs can cause dry mouth, especially drugs to treat depression and high blood pressure. Xerostomia can also be caused by abnormalities in the salivary glands so that saliva production decreases. In addition, the habit of breathing through the mouth can also cause the mouth to tend to be drier.
• Smoking.

According to Smiles Dental Group How to fix bad breath…permanently!