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Who never felt uncomfortable when he realized he had bad breath? And when does this problem appear to be recurring and never close to being solved? Well, bad breath is not always a punctual problem and it affects many people in a chronic way every year, generating what we call halitosis . But what is the source of this problem? What are the treatments? Is there a way to prevent it? We will answer all of these and other questions in today’s text. Read to the end and check it out!
What is Halitosis?
Halitosis is nothing more than that characteristic unpleasant odor that comes out of a person’s mouth. Although it is usually the result of poor oral hygiene , it is important to investigate its causes and treat it, since halitosis that does not seem to go away may be a sign of other diseases, such as heart problems, diabetes and even some types of cancer.
It is also important to note that the characteristic bad smell in the mouth in the morning is not halitosis. The odor arises because, when you sleep, you do not use your mouth for a long time, neither to eat nor to speak. In addition, if you sleep with your mouth open, that bad smell can get even bigger, due to the dry mouth. However, this is a problem quickly resolved in morning brushing and has nothing to do with halitosis itself.
What are the causes of halitosis?
To understand what Halitosis is, it is important to know what causes this condition. For the vast majority of cases, the culprit is the so-called tongue coating , or simply coating. It is a mass, usually white in color, consisting of food scraps, mucus from saliva, peeling cells from the mouth and bacteria. This coating comes mainly due to the lack of oral hygiene, although in some cases it can also be a sign of other diseases, as we have already said.
There are organisms that are more likely to have halitosis, such as people who produce less saliva, for example. No matter what the source of the problem is, the truth is that it causes an unpleasant stench both for those who have this condition and for those who notice it. And to understand how to treat halitosis, it is important to first know the main types that exist.
Types of Halitosis
There are different types of halitosis:
- Halitosis Type 1
- Halitosis Type 2
- Halitosis Type 3
- Halitosis Type 4
- Halitosis Type 5
We will talk about each one separately, as well as their origins.
Halitosis Type 1
In cases of type 1 halitosis, the main cause of the problem is in other conditions in the person’s mouth such as cavities, gum disease and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. These conditions make it easier for the tongue coating to emerge and cause bad breath. In addition, diseases such as sinusitis and deviated septum can contribute to the advancement of halitosis. It is the most common type of halitosis.
Halitosis Type 2
Perhaps the rarest type of halitosis, which has its origins in lung disease , results of emphysema, bronchitis or even cancer. It is worth mentioning that, when there is the presence of this type of disease, halitosis is usually a secondary symptom, that is, many others appear before.
Halitosis Type 3
Also much rarer than type 1, type 3 halitosis arises due to problems in the esophagus or even due to gastrointestinal reflux. This type of halitosis becomes even stronger if the person does not have good oral hygiene.
Halitosis Type 4
This type of halitosis has its origin in diseases that cause our blood to accumulate substances, such as diabetes , for example. In addition to this, kidney failure can also generate bad breath. The bad breath of those who have halitosis type 4 is usually different from other types, being a more “sour” smell.
Halitosis Type 5
Also known as false halitosis, type 5 is a psychological-emotional problem. It occurs when people believe they have bad breath, even though there is no evidence for it. The treatment, in this case, must be with a psychologist .
Halitosis Treatment
As you can see, halitosis can have different origins and, because of that, the treatment will always depend on how it came about. Acting directly to cure the disease that causes a person to have halitosis causes the problem to be solved as a consequence. It is important to stress that taking medication on your own can be very harmful to your health , in addition to not solving the problem of halitosis. Therefore, the most recommended is to see a doctor to treat your illness in the right way.
On the other hand, as most cases of halitosis have their origins in poor oral hygiene conditions, treatment is usually done through cleaning . It is important for the person to keep in mind that they need to adopt certain habits on a daily basis, such as brushing their teeth several times a day, using dental floss and mouthwash. Without adopting these behaviors, it is inevitable that halitosis will reappear, even after a good cleaning.
Is there a way to prevent Halitosis?
Prevention must be done exactly as it is done to cure most cases of halitosis: With good oral hygiene . Make these good practices that we have already mentioned, such as brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, become habits in your daily life and that of your family. This helps to prevent not only this type of problem, but also certain types of social problems, since people tend to distance themselves from those who have bad breath .
Of course, there are cases in which it is not possible to prevent halitosis, such as when it is a consequence of other diseases. However, in these cases, bad breath is the least of the problems and it ends up being resolved with the disease cured.
Possible Consequences of Halitosis
In addition to the consequences brought about by the very diseases that may have caused halitosis, it does not have so many direct harm to health if it is not treated. However, the major negative consequences of halitosis lie in the social problems encountered, since a person can feel alone and avoided by other people. In some cases, this can also end up causing psychological problems. Therefore, treating halitosis is a health issue for both body and mind.
Bad breath is often considered to be a mere social problem. And while this is also true, it does not mean that it should not be dealt with. In addition to affecting your health in several ways, halitosis can also have other consequences, as we said earlier. Therefore, understanding how to identify this problem and, especially, how to treat it, is essential for you to have not only better health, but also a more peaceful social life. The two things are intrinsically and linked and, therefore, taking care of them is also taking care of your own life.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
