"The oral cavity is the gateway to our body". As it is often said that a healthy mind resides in a healthy mouth, it is imperative to take the best care of your oral cavity. Halitosis refers to an unpleasant odor emanating from a person's oral cavity. Almost 1 in 4 individuals today suffer from halitosis. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most common reason people seek dental treatment after tooth decay and gum disease.
Common causes of halitosis
Tobacco: Tobacco products can cause bad breath. They can also increase the risk of gum disease.
Food products: The breakdown of food particles stuck in the teeth can cause bad breath. After some foods, such as onions and garlic, are digested, their breakdown products are carried by the blood to the lungs, affecting breathing.
Dry mouth: Saliva is a natural mouth cleaner. If the mouth is dry for a long time, odor can accumulate in the oral cavity.
Poor dental hygiene: Failure to maintain proper dental hygiene can lead to plaque build-up on the teeth, leading to inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis, which can lead to halitosis. Food particles stuck between the teeth can also break down and cause halitosis. Ill-fitting dentures or those that are not cleaned regularly can harbor bacteria and lead to halitosis.
Crash diets: Long-term fasting and low-carb diets can cause halitosis. Halitosis is caused by the breakdown of fats producing chemicals called ketones, which have a strong aroma.
Drugs: Some drugs can reduce saliva production and therefore lead to bad breath. Some medications can cause odors because they break down and release chemicals in the breath. Examples include nitrates used to treat Angina p e CTO RIS, chemotherapy chemicals, and tranquilizers.
Mouth, Nose and Throat Conditions: Occasionally, small, bacteria-covered stones (tonsillitis) can form on the tonsils in the back of the throat and produce an odor. Halitosis can also be caused by infections in the nose, throat and sinuses.
Foreign body: Bad breath can be caused if a foreign body lodges in the nasal cavity, especially in children.
Diseases: Certain cancers, liver failure, and other metabolic disorders can cause halitosis because of the specific mixtures of chemicals they produce. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or G ERD, frequent acid reflux can also lead to bad breath.
How to manage halitosis
Lifestyle changes and adherence to specific home remedies can very often help in solving the problem of bad breath. Here are some home remedies for halitosis:
Brush your teeth: The simple act of brushing your teeth properly twice a day goes a long way in maintaining oral hygiene and helps prevent halitosis.
Flossing: Flossing can help remove food particles from between the teeth. Brushing cleans approximately 60 percent of the tooth surface; therefore, flossing is essential to preventing halitosis because flossing removes food particles from areas that brushing cannot reach.
Clean your tongue: Many times food, bacteria and dead cells accumulate on the tongue, especially in smokers or those with dry mouth. A tongue scraper can help clean the tongue and prevent halitosis.
Clean dentures and other dental appliances: Anything that goes into the mouth, including dentures, a bridge, or a mouth guard, should be cleaned as recommended daily. You should also change toothbrushes every 2 to 3 months of use.
Avoiding dry mouth. To keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco and drink plenty of water, avoid coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, which can lead to a dry mouth. You can also eat gum or suck sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth, a dentist or doctor may prescribe an artificial saliva product or an oral medication that stimulates saliva flow.
Diet adjustment. Adjust your diet with foods that are associated with bad breath.
Treatment of halitosis
If home remedies do not help, a thorough dental examination may be required. Based on the cause, the dentist may perform the following treatments.
Mouthwashes and toothpaste: If your bad breath is caused by bacteria (plaque) built up on your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouthwash or toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent that kills the bacteria.
Treating dental disease: Sometimes there are deep pockets or gaps between the gums and teeth that fill with odor-causing bacteria. This usually happens with gum disease. Only a professional cleaning by a gum specialist will remove these bacteria.
In conclusion, he urged people to observe basic oral hygiene and seek professional care if necessary.
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