Halitosis, which is an oral health problem, can be caused by many different reasons. It's one of the frequently encountered issues.

It is a preventable problem if diagnosed correctly. The causes of bad breath are connected to usually people's eating and consuming habits, poor oral health care, smoking, and xerostomia. Since it negatively affects relationships between people, solutions such as mouthwash and chewing gum are sought in order to eliminate bad breath. But the effects of such actions are temporary.

If the person's attention to oral and dental health and routine care is not sufficient to solve this problem, it is vital for her/him to make an appointment with a dentist or a surgeon, since there is a possibility of another health problem.

What is Bad Breath?

The involuntary smell from cavities such as the mouth and nose in the human anatomy is called halitosis. There are various factors that can cause odor in people's mouths. It is known that people who have almost no bad breath also complain about the situation.

Bad Breath Causes

The following factors can be listed as the main causes of bad breath.

• Some Foods: When the parts of the consumed foods accumulate on the teeth and around the teeth, they lead to the growth of bacteria. Halitosis should not be confused with halitosis, which usually occurs after foods such as onions and garlic.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing the teeth regularly causes the foods consumed to remain between the teeth. This is one of the main causes of bad breath. This creates a layer of plaque on the teeth over time. In people who involve in this group, these bacterial layers damage the gums, and often gum disease follows that.
• Dental Prostheses: Dental prostheses that are not well-maintained and not replaced properly produce bacteria and cause bad breath.
• Smoking: Smoking and tobacco use cause both bad breath and some gum diseases.
• Dry Mouth (xerostomia): Thanks to saliva production, oral hygiene is provided and odors are prevented. After the decreased saliva level and dryness, the mouth cannot clean itself. Remaining food particles between the teeth also result in bad breath.
• Periodontal Diseases: One of the important symptoms of any gum disease is the bad breath left in the mouth.
• Other Diseases: Bad breath can also be a symptom of some other diseases such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and lung infection. Diagnosis and initiation of treatment are very important in such cases.

Treatment of Halitosis

Good oral hygiene is the best way to get rid of bad breath, prevent cavities, and lower the risk of gum disease. Depending on the cause, there are different ways to treat bad breath further. If the dentist thinks that bad breath is caused by a health problem, he/she likely sends the patient to the primary care provider.

If the problem is related to oral health, the dentist helps to get a better handle on it. Depending on the cause of halitosis, the treatment approach varies.

If the foul breath is caused by a deposit of plaque on the teeth, the dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouth rinse. The dentist may also suggest toothpaste containing an antibacterial ingredient to eliminate plaque-causing germs.

If gum disease occurs, the patient (periodontist) should give precedence to treating halitosis. It can cause gums to tear away from teeth, creating pockets where odor-causing bacteria can accumulate. Only expert cleaning can eliminate these microorganisms. The dentist may also propose repairing defective tooth restorations, which serve as a bacterial breeding site.