Halitosis is simply a long-lasting bad breath. About 25% of people worldwide are affected by bad breath. Halitosis usually affects those who do not care about oral hygiene properly. Halitosis is not a serious disease, but it significantly hinders everyday life. Before any treatment, the true causes of halitosis should be known.
Although halitosis does not cause serious health effects, it can contribute to a reduction in self-confidence. Halitosis can be caused by a number of ailments resulting also from untreated diseases and a lack of proper hygiene, which promotes the development of anaerobic bacteria that produce volatile compounds, such as sulfur. They contribute to the unpleasant mouth odour, which is called halitosis.
Causes of halitosis
Among the most common causes of halitosis, dental causes, which are directly related to poor oral hygiene, dominate. These dental causes include tooth decay, tartar and dental deposit, oral mycosis, paradontosis, complications after dental procedures, unremoved food remains and candidiasis.
The causes of halitosis can also be found in environmental factors, which include:
- Diet - consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol, garlic, onion and insufficient intake of liquids and hunger.
- Drugs - side effects of some drugs may cause the production of unpleasant smell from the mouth. Antidepressants, analgesics, diuretics and anticholinergic drugs in particular have such an ability.
- Smoking cigarettes - cigarette smoke changes the bacterial environment in the mouth, so there is a proliferation of anaerobic bacteria, which are the cause of tartar.
- Time of day - in a much larger number of people halitosis occurs only in the morning, which is the reason for a decrease in saliva production during sleep.
- It can also be caused by upper gastrointestinal diseases such as esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, diverticula, gastroesophageal reflux, uremia and sometimes mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, chronic psychosis or depression.
Halitosis - how to cure it?
Before you go to a specialist, you can try out homemade halitosis treatments. If you suspect that your mouth is not properly maintained, you should change your toothbrush, floss and appropriate antibacterial fluid. Treatment for halitosis may be necessary in the case of tooth diseases, respiratory and digestive system diseases. In case of bad breath, it is also necessary to properly hydrate the body. Limiting the consumption of coffee or alcohol also has a positive effect on the mouth odour.
