Bad Breath

What is bad breath?

Bad breath is an annoying odour that emanates from a person’s mouth, although its source may vary. It is a problem that many people face for at least part of their lives, and some people face it all the time. It can lead to major psychological and social problems.

For a person to be considered a patient with bad breath, it is enough for them or someone in their social circle to have noticed bad breath.

Every person has physiological bad breath. This physiological odour is intensified especially in the morning due to dry mouth. The source of non-physiological bad breath should be found and treated as soon as possible.

 

Reasons for bad breath

• It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene.
• The main compounds that cause bad breath have been found to be hydrogen sulphide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3S4) and dimethyl sulphide (C2H6S). While these compounds were found in low amounts in patients with adequate oral hygiene, they were observed to be higher in those with poor oral hygiene.
• A diet of the same foods can lead to bad breath.
• Plaque accumulation causes tartar formation and gum disease. Over time, these stones form spaces between teeth and gums and turn into an area where debris can be collected.
• After the medicines used have been metabolised and broken down in the body, they can enter the bloodstream with the chemicals they produce and then into the lungs, causing a bad smell.
• Dry mouth is a causative agent of bad breath. The flow of saliva in the mouth makes the tooth surface more slippery, reduces the adhesion of debris and ensures hygiene. In this way, it also prevents bad odours.
• The reason for increased bad breath in the morning is the decrease in saliva flow during the night. This condition is physiological, but there is more odour formation in people who sleep with their mouths open.
• If there is chronic dry mouth, this may be a sign of salivary gland problems or systemic disease.
• Long-term bad breath can also be a sign of disease and can be caused by a systemic disease such as kidney failure, diabetes, oral fungus, respiratory diseases, tonsillitis, sinusitis, gastrointestinal diseases, nasal and nasal polyp complaints, sinusitis, pharyngitis, throat diseases such as polyps, liver failure. The sources of such disturbing and long-lasting odours must be investigated.

In some people, as a psychological disorder, there is a desire to keep away from people by feeling that they smell even though there is no bad breath.

Anyone who believes they have bad breath despite sufficient oral hygiene should go to the dentist without wasting time. The dentist will perform a thorough cleaning of the mouth, carry out the necessary procedures and instructions to find the source of the odour.

 Types of bad breath

 There are six types of bad breath.

 Type 1:

It is the odour that occurs when the protein residues accumulated between the papillae of the tongue are broken down by bacteria.

It is the most common form of bad breath.

 Type 2:

Breath-induced halitosis. It is caused by foul-smelling gases that form at a site between the nose and lungs. It occurs with inflammatory gases of the larynx, pharynx, tonsils, sinuses and airways.

Commonly seen in young people

 Type 3:

Odours of gastro-oesophageal origin. Occurs when the stomach valve leaks and bad-smelling gases are in the stomach.

It rarely occurs.

 Type 4:

This type of odour is also called breath odour. It occurs when blood gases enter the lungs, mix with the breath and are excreted. This is usually caused by diseases of other organs (kidney, lung, heart, etc.).

 Type 5:

It is a subjective bad breath. Although the person thinks that their own mouth smells, with this type of odour neither anyone in the social environment nor the dentist perceives any odour during the examination. It has two clinical forms.

– Neurogenic halitosis: Smell perception really exists. But it has no emissions. It can be caused by odour absorption via the throat, confusion of taste-smell perception and olfactory hallucinations. This type of bad breath is called self-halitosis.

– Psychogenic halitosis: There is no real smell perception. The person thinks they smell. Halitosis can take the form of halitophobia, halitosis obsession or delusional halitosis.

Type 0:          

Physiological halitosis. All persons have physiological halitosis. It is not a condition to be treated. It is possible and necessary to accept this odour. For example, the odour caused by dryness in the morning and bad breath from hunger is physiological.

Discomfort from physiological halitosis is commonly observed in patients with halitophobia and is not a normal condition.

 Treatment methods

 There are many chewing gums, mouthwashes and mouth sprays on the market to solve this problem. However, their use alone can only provide a temporary solution.

Oral hygiene should be evaluated. Effective oral hygiene should be performed and water consumption should be increased. The first rule to prevent bad breath is to brush teeth properly at least twice a day and floss regularly. Food debris left in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene is broken down by bacteria and produces foul-smelling gases. This phenomenon is usually experienced on the tongue. For this reason, tongue cleaning has a very moist place to remove bad odour. For this reason, tongue cleaner should be added to daily oral care.

People who use dentures should clean their dentures regularly. Removable dentures should be removed at night before going to bed and cleaned in the morning before wearing them.

Toothbrushes should be changed regularly every 3 months.

It should be checked whether there is sufficient water intake. Dry mouth is a risk factor for bad breath. As it can lead to dry mouth, alcohol consumption should be limited, sugar-free chewing gum can be chewed to stimulate saliva flow. For chronic dry mouth, the dentist may recommend an artificial preparation or oral medication to stimulate saliva flow.

In addition, diet should also be controlled. Repeated consumption of the same foods can lead to bad breath.

Fish, curry, onions, garlic and some cheeses cause bad breath for a short time (24 hours on average). When eating these foods, it may be a good idea to take precautions. Mint, parsley, yoghurt, apple, radish, carrot or pear eaten after meals freshens the breath and prevents bad breath. Eating a lemon with fish ensures that the odour-causing trimethylamine compound binds to the water and prevents odour formation. Coriander, fennel, aniseed, cardamom and cinnamon are also helpful in preventing such bad breath.

If the odour problem is not resolved, the dentist should be contacted. If the odour originates in the mouth, the necessary treatments will achieve a result. If the problem is in an extraoral organ, the dentist will refer the patient to the necessary doctor. In this way, a disease underlying the odour is diagnosed. The problem of bad breath should be taken seriously.

After the cause is eliminated, you can solve your problem with proper mouth cleaning.

We wish you healthy days.