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Halitosis: More Than Just Bad Breath?

Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, affects millions of people worldwide. Halitosis can be a source of embarrassment for sufferers.

Oral Hygiene and Halitosis

In close to ninety percent of cases, halitosis is caused by a localized oral problem related to improper dental hygiene. Specifically, the culprit can be food particles that are trapped between the teeth. If these particles aren't cleaned away by brushing, flossing or rinsing with a mouthwash or water, they can putrefy and accumulate bacteria—especially in the back of the mouth and on the tongue. These bacteria are a major cause of bad breath.

Poorly cleaned dentures are also a source of bacteria that can cause halitosis.

Nutrition and Halitosis

The food we eat has a definite effect on the breath we exhale. During the digestive process, food odors are absorbed into the blood and then transferred to the lungs. From the lungs, the lingering odor of garlic, cabbage, onions and other pungent foods can be expelled with your breath. In these cases, you can brush or floss to your heart's content, but your breath might not improve until your body eliminates the offending foods.

Halitosis and Health Problems

In certain instances halitosis might be an indication of an underlying health issue. For instance, halitosis can be the result of xerostomia, or dry mouth.

One of saliva's functions is to keep the mouth clean and help to remove food particles that get stuck between the teeth. With xerostomia, too little saliva is produced and food particles remain, collecting bacteria and causing a foul odor that's expelled with the breath.

Halitosis can also be an indication of potentially serious medical conditions such as:

chronic bronchitis
diabetes
gastrointestinal problems
liver and kidney malfunctions
post nasal drip
respiratory infection
sinusitis.

In general, a person with halitosis should first assume that the problem is due to oral hygiene and schedule an appointment for a dental check up and cleaning. If no dental-related issues appear to be causing the halitosis, the next step is a full physical exam and evaluation for underlying health issues that could be contributing to bad breath.

Bad Breath Treatment Options

Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on cosmetic products to treat halitosis. These include special breath mints, chewing gums, tongue cleaners, toothpastes, mouthwashes and special toothbrushes. Unfortunately, they only mask the problem temporarily.

You're probably better off following a disciplined, routine regimen of thorough dental hygiene that includes the following:

Brushing your teeth. Talk with your dental hygienist about the best method of brushing your teeth and the recommended toothbrush.
Flossing your teeth. Flossing is more effective than brushing when it comes to releasing food particles that might be stuck between your teeth. Floss at least once a day.
Choosing the right mouthwash. A sweet-tasting mouthwash merely masks the odor of bad breath. You're better off using an antiseptic mouth rinse that kills many of the bacteria that cause gingivitis and bad breath. Be aware that most antiseptic mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can dry out your mouth and actually contribute to bad breath. Read labels carefully.
Rinsing or chewing gum when you can't brush. Even rinsing with plain water or chewing a sugar-free gum after eating can be a big help.

Bad Breath in Children

Children can suffer from bad breath, just as adults do. And again, the underlying cause is often a function of dental hygiene habits. A balanced diet and proper brushing—with emphasis on reaching the back molars—solves the problem most of the time. But in some cases, bad breath in children can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Parents should keep in mind that halitosis in your child might be related to conditions such as:

dental cavities
enlarged adenoids
sinusitis
upset stomach or other gastrointestinal problems.

If you have any questions regarding halitosis and your child, check with your pediatric dentist first and then with your child's doctor.

Resources

American Academy of Physicians. (2000, September). Halitosis (bad breath).

American Dental Association. (nd). Bad breath (halitosis).

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