HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED FROM HALITOSIS?
Bad breath or halitosis is an extremely frequent condition which can negatively affect people’s quality of life, causing considerable distress in psychological and social terms.
WHAT IS HALITOSIS?
Halitosis is when noticeably unpleasant breath odour is present.
People of any age and gender can be affected by it, although the condition tends to be more frequent with increasing age.
Statistics indicate that it affects around one out of four people.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HALITOSIS?
The causes of typical bad breath are manifold and not necessarily linked to diet; in most cases, it is attributable to oral cavity problems and specifically, the presence of certain strains of anaerobic bacteria which in some conditions produce gas containing sulphur, the main culprit of bad breath.
Halitosis linked to the oral cavity is mainly caused by dental and gum diseases. Specifically, periodontitis and decay may be the main dental causes of halitosis.
In addition to bleeding gums, the presence of plaque and tartar may also result in bad breath. In such cases it is important you consult your Dentist, who will treat each patient based on their individual needs.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
As the name suggests, bad breath is the main symptom and sometimes this may also be accompanied by a dry mouth and a whitish coating on the tongue.
HOW CAN HALITOSIS BE DIAGNOSED?
Usually self-diagnosis is very difficult, in fact other people often point it out before we notice it.
HOW CAN HALITOSIS BE TREATED?
There are several solutions for resolving halitosis.
Here are some tips on how to fight bad breath:
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- Correct professional and home oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and the removal of tartar to check for the presence of decay or the condition of fillings.
- Limit the consumption of foods which are known to cause halitosis, such as garlic, onion, cauliflower and protein-rich foods containing sulphurized amino acids (like meat and cheese). It may be useful to avoid a fat-based diet and stick to one rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce alcohol consumption, as the substance causes dehydration of the oral cavity, encouraging the development of bacteria which cause halitosis.
- Cut down or stop smoking.
- Prevent “dry mouth”. This means you should drink constantly throughout the day.
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- If you are affected by this condition, you should consult a professional, who will examine the oral cavity to identify the causes and define the most suitable treatment plan according to the specific clinical case.
Ref. ANDI 2021-01-28
Article by:
Dr. Francesca Cammarelle – OMCEO PG n.985
Dr. Federica Casini
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