Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Halitosis is usually caused by tooth decay, gum problems, smoking, or mild digestive upsets. It can also be a sign of uremia, cirrhosis of the liver, or lung or sinus infections.
Someone who as minty acetone-like breath may be a sign of diabetes. For people on the Atkins diet, a sweetish breath smell may mean that they have achieved ketosis, a state of fat-burning in the body. In this case, the halitosis is considered to be desirable since it means the body is metabolizing fat instead of carbohydrates. According to Dr. Atkins, it normally takes about three days on the Induction phase of his diet to achieve ketosis. Induction is the initial phase of the diet and the most carbohydrate-restricted. Only a limited number of carbs low on the glycemic index are permitted at this time.
Successful treatment of halitosis depends upon removing the underlying cause. Mouthwashes and toothpastes may mask halitosis but do not usually remove it. In severe or persistent cases, a physician should be consulted.
Poor oral hygiene can also contribute to halitosis. Plaque, a sticky substance which builds up on the teeth, may also be a cause. Daily flossing, which removes plaque, is strongly suggested for everyone, as is proper brushing. Teeth should be brushed after every meal and flossed at least once a day.
Electric toothbrushes, which can vibrate hundreds of times a minute, are often more effective in controlling plaque and cleaning the teeth than traditional toothbrushes.
The size of the brush head is also important. Models with small, round brushes may be more effective at reaching all parts of the mouth.
For maximum effectiveness, brush for a minimum of two minutes each time. This is the amount of time dentists believe is necessary to thoroughly clean the teeth.
Halitosis can also result from sulphur compounds forming on the tongue. For this reason, some people commonly clean their tongues with a small plastic device called a tongue scraper or tongue cleaner. For best results, stick out your tongue and scrape from back to front.
Bad breath (halitosis) has several possible causes.
Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath.
Bacteria that build up on your teeth, tongue and gums can cause plaque (the soft, white deposit that forms on the surface of the teeth), gum disease and tooth decay.
The bacteria combine with saliva to break down food particles and proteins which releases an unpleasant smelling gas.
If you don't brush and floss your teeth regularly, any food that is trapped between your teeth will be broken down by the bacteria, causing bad breath.
The bacteria can also live in the rough surface of your tongue. Therefore, as well as brushing your teeth, cleaning your tongue can also help control bad breath.
Having regular dental check-ups will ensure that any oral hygiene problems are picked up and treated early. Your dentist can advise you on how often you need to have a check-up.
Eating strongly flavoured foods, such as garlic, onions and spices, is likely to make your breath smell. Strong-smelling drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, can also cause bad breath.
This type of bad breath is usually temporary and can be easily avoided by not consuming these types of food and drink. Good dental hygiene will also help.
Smoking is another cause of bad breath. As well as making your breath smell, smoking also causes staining and loss of taste and irritates your gums.
Smoking also increases your risk of developing gum disease, which is another cause of bad breath. Stopping smoking will lower the risk of gum disease and help prevent bad breath.
Some types of medication can cause bad breath. Medicines that have been associated with bad breath include:
nitrates, which are sometimes used to treat angina
some chemotherapy medication
phenothiazines (tranquilisers)
If you're on medication that's causing bad breath, your GP may be able to recommend an alternative.
Bad breath is sometimes caused by a medical condition, although this is rare.
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that affects the flow of saliva. This can cause bacteria to build up in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
Having a dry mouth can be caused by existing salivary gland problems or by continually breathing through your mouth instead of your nose.
Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include:
lung, throat or nose infections, such as bronchiectasis
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:
Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoridetoothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don't forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
See your dentist regularly - at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (sugarless) or sucking on candy (sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat. Bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.
In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. If the odor is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum conditions.
You can buy a number of mouthwashes over-the-counter that claim to eliminate bad breath. However, keep in mind that many of these mouthwashes generally provide only a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth odor. There are, however, several antiseptic mouth-rinse products available that instead of simply masking breath odor kill the germs that cause bad breath. Ask your dentist about which product is best for you.