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What is halitosis?
Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is defined as the set of unpleasant odors emitted from the mouth.
It is a problem that affects 1 in 2 people.
It is considered a social problem related to poor oral hygiene or with diseases of the mouth, although sometimes it can be a manifestation of some other pathology.
The origin of halitosis
Depending on its origin, we can find two types of halitosis:
- Oral halitosis: when it occurs in the mouth due to tartar buildup, gum problems, cavities, or smoking, among other things.
- Extraoral halitosisThis occurs when it happens outside the mouth, due to respiratory problems, digestive issues, or other illnesses. This happens in 101% of cases.
Reasons why halitosis occurs
Morning breath
During sleep, saliva flow decreases, which facilitates the uncontrolled growth of bacteria that produce smelly gases.
Age
Breath quality changes with age. Older adults are likely to experience regressive changes in their salivary glands, affecting both the quality and quantity of saliva, even with good oral hygiene.
Dental prostheses
Dentures and bridges can accumulate food debris. If left overnight, they produce an unpleasant and characteristic odor.
Drugs
Some medications can cause xerostomia, or dry mouth syndrome. The lack of saliva produces bad breath.
Tobacco
Smoking creates a characteristic breath that can last for a few days, even after you have quit smoking.
Fasting periods
Skipping meals and following a low-calorie diet can contribute to bad breath.
Certain foods
After eating certain foods like garlic or consuming alcohol.
Periodontal disease or cavities
Gum disease or cavities can also cause bad breath.
Poor oral hygiene
Failure to remove tartar causes bacterial growth.
Ulcerative causes
Traumatic ulcers, infections, stomatitis, or other problems can cause bad breath.
Infections
Halitosis can also be caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
People who have to undergo these strong treatments may suffer from halitosis.
Face mask
He prolonged use of face masks They cause an increase in bad odor.
Types of halitosis
- True halitosisThis type of halitosis is determined when the unpleasant breath exceeds the limits and becomes noticeable to others.
- Physiological halitosis: that which is temporary and occurs on specific occasions such as upon waking, after drinking coffee, alcohol, eating strong, spicy meals, smoking, etc.
- Pathological halitosis: occurs as a result of the presence of diseases.
How to know if we have bad breath
Bad breath is difficult to diagnose because most of the time we don't notice it ourselves.
It is advisable to ask someone you trust to confirm it or go to the dentist so they can detect it and give you the treatment to solve the problem.
It is also important to carry out a good oral hygiene to maintain good oral health and avoid or solve this problem.
For more information you can visit our center or call us.
At Asistencia Dental Plus we have the best specialists who will advise you and solve all your oral health problems.
