Halitosis: what it is, causes and treatment

Halitosis is a symptom that can be noticed after waking up or be noticed throughout the day when you don’t eat for a long time or when you don’t brush your teeth well and/or frequently, for example.

Halitosis, which is popularly known as bad breath, can also be caused by health problems, such as diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux, or by the consumption of certain foods such as garlic, onion and broccoli. Check out all the causes of bad breath.

Therefore, when halitosis is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to consult a general practitioner or dentist to identify the cause of this condition and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which may include tartar removal, use of medication and adequate oral hygiene. for example.

Main causes of halitosis

The main causes of halitosis are:

1. Decreased saliva, which happens during the night, resulting in greater fermentation of bacteria naturally present in the mouth and leading to the release of sulfur;
2. Poor oral hygiene, as it favors the formation of bacterial plaque and cavities, in addition to promoting tongue coating;
3. Fasting for many hours, as it leads to the fermentation of bacteria in the mouth and causes greater degradation of ketone bodies to generate energy, causing bad breath;
4. Tonsillar cases, small white balls in the throat that may appear due to the accumulation of food debris, saliva and cells in the mouth;
5. Stomach problems, such as poor digestion, reflux or gastritis, which cause burping that causes bad breath;
6. Infections in the mouth or throat, such as sinusitis and tonsillitis, as the microorganisms responsible for the infection can ferment and lead to bad breath;
7. Eating foods that favor the formation of sulfur, such as broccoli, cauliflower, garlic and onion;
8. decompensated diabetes, which can cause ketoacidosis, in which many ketone bodies are produced.

Furthermore, halitosis can also be caused by medications, such as antineoplastics, antihistamines, amphetamines, tranquilizers, diuretics, phenothiazines, which reduce saliva production, causing bad breath. Know all the causes of bad breath.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of halitosis is made by a general practitioner or dentist through a general assessment of the health of the person’s mouth and the assessment of other symptoms, such as dry mouth, mouth pain or runny nose.

If you want to assess your risk of halitosis, make an appointment with your nearest general practitioner:

Furthermore, in cases where halitosis is persistent, the doctor may also recommend blood tests to investigate whether there is any disease related to bad breath.

How the treatment is carried out

Halitosis treatment is carried out depending on the cause of this condition, and it is generally recommended to brush your teeth, use dental floss and clean your tongue after meals. In some cases, the doctor or dentist may also recommend the use of mouthwash with mint, zinc or chlorhexidine to help eliminate bacteria.

Furthermore, it is important to maintain healthy eating habits, such as prioritizing foods rich in fiber, chewing food well and drinking at least 2 liters of water per day.

Some home remedies, such as tea tree essential oil, thyme infusion and clove tea, also help to complement the treatment of bad breath. Check out other home remedies for bad breath.

Furthermore, the treatment of other causes of halitosis, such as reflux, diabetes and sinusitis, may include the use of antibiotics, antacids, nasal sprays or surgery, which must be recommended by a doctor.

Is halitosis curable?

Halitosis has a cure, which is obtained through treating the cause of this condition and taking measures to prevent its reappearance.

How to prevent halitosis

Some tips to prevent halitosis are:

• Brush your teeth well and floss at least twice a day;
• Clean the tongue, using a specific scraper;
• Rinse your mouth with antiseptic products;
• Avoid fasting for many hours;
• Drink at least 2 liters of water per day;
• Avoid foods that can cause bad breath, such as onions, cabbage, garlic and broccoli;
• Avoid smoking.

Furthermore, it is also important to consult the dentist at least once a year to assess the health of your teeth and clean your teeth, removing tartar, which is bacterial plaque accumulated on the teeth and which causes bad breath. Check out other tips to prevent and get rid of bad breath.