Halitosis is defined as unpleasant, bad breath caused by various factors. These include poor oral hygiene, caries or systemic disorders. It is a condition that can be the cause of many complexes, so if it occurs, it is worth starting the treatment of halitosis as soon as possible.
Halitosis – or bad breath – is not just a cosmetic problem. It can cause difficulties in establishing contacts, be the cause of complexes and low self-esteem. There are many reasons for halitosis. The most common ones include improper oral hygiene, caries, periodontal disease, non-removed tongue deposition, a diet rich in some vegetables and highly processed products, as well as laryngological or nutritional diseases.
Treatment of halitosis depends on its cause
Treatment of halitosis depends on the reasons for the disease. In many cases, a change in oral hygiene is effective. Teeth should be washed after each meal (at least 2 times a day), use dental floss and mouth rinses. One can not forget about regular cleansing of the tongue from the sediment – the bacteria that make up the bacteria secrete sulfur compounds with a very unpleasant odor. Regular dental visits are also recommended. The doctor will be able to react in time to appearing cavities, as well as to remove deposits and tartar. In the dental office you can also get professional advice on methods and techniques of brushing teeth (the so-called instruction on the correct oral hygiene) and receive advice on choosing the most appropriate products to maintain hygiene, namely, brushes, pastes, threads and rinses.
When to reach for medication?
Treatment of halitosis is also possible with the help of medicines available in pharmacies. They usually contain zinc chloride in their composition. This substance has the ability to absorb unpleasant odors that form in the mouth due to putrefaction and has anti-inflammatory properties. What’s more, zinc reacts with sulfur compounds, which in a few minutes reduces the unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth. Preparations of this type have quite a long duration of action, reaching several hours. It’s good to know that zinc is used as an aid in the treatment of other oral conditions, such as aphta, gingivitis and periodontal disease.
As mentioned earlier, laryngological conditions may also be the cause of halitosis. For the unpleasant smell from the mouth are sometimes responsible bacteria, food leftovers and cells of exfoliated epithelium lying in the tonsides of tonsils. Then, laryngological procedures may be helpful, such as shallowing and closing the crypts with a laser (i.e., so-called cryptolysis), freezing with liquid nitrogen (tonsillotomy cryosurgery) or completely removing the tonsils (adenoidectomy).
If, despite the implementation of proper oral hygiene and dental treatment, the problem persists, patients are advised to perform detailed blood and urine tests, sometimes also endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract. Determining the general causes of halitosis affects the implementation of appropriate treatment methods.
Bad breath is a problem that affects about 15-30% of the world’s population. In more than 90% of cases, the direct cause of bad breath is anaerobic bacteria that colonize our mouth. We provide useful methods in the fight against bad breath.