IN SHORT
Halitosis, ozostomia, and bad breath are synonymous.
Up to 25% of the world’s population is affected by this condition. In nine out of ten cases, halitosis starts in the mouth because of the bacteria inside it. Nearly 60% of these bacteria are present on the tongue.
Bad breath can be temporary or, in rarer cases, pathological. The causes can be both intraoral and extraoral.
In most cases, good oral health can help you fight bad breath effectively.
What Is Halitosis?
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. It is also known as ozostomia.
Halitosis is a taboo topic for many people. Not everyone realizes that they have bad breath, but those around them notice it immediately.
Do you believe you are the only one with bad breath? Think again. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that more than 25% of the world’s population suffers from halitosis.
Moreover, there are two types of bad breath. Probably most people have had an episode of halitosis after eating garlic or having an alcoholic drink. Morning breath is another well-known example of halitosis. In these cases, it is more appropriate to talk of temporary or physiologic halitosis.
However, when bad breath is persistent and does not disappear easily, it is more likely to be chronic or pathological. This form of halitosis is tougher, and the smell is particularly unpleasant. Pathological halitosis can develop because of a specific disease, or it can appear due to bad oral hygiene. Causes, therefore, can be both intraoral and extraoral.
What Is the Origin of Halitosis?
Scientific literature states that nine times out of ten, halitosis starts in the mouth.1 Similarly, there is also a predominant culprit: bacteria. Our mouth contains hundreds of bacteria, and they love food particles that remain between the teeth, on the tongue, and in periodontal pockets.
Did you know that up to 60% of oral bacteria live on the tongue? That is why it is important to make sure cleaning your tongue is part of your oral hygiene routine.
When does halitosis generally appear? It generally manifests when there is a higher number of bacteria. One of the most effective ways to treat halitosis is to take care of your oral health. This way, you can reduce the number of bacteria. Staying hydrated is another good trick to help eliminate bad breath because saliva helps break down bacteria in your mouth.
What Are the Causes of Halitosis?
Most of the time, halitosis starts in the mouth. Similarly, nearly 85% of the causes of bad breath originate from the mouth.
In rarer cases, bad breath can be a sign of serious illness. An examination of intraoral and extraoral causes can help us investigate the matter further.
Intraoral and Extraoral Causes
To better distinguish between intraoral and extraoral causes, let us look at the following table:
| Intraoral Causes |
Extraoral Causes |
| Deposits on teeth and tongue |
Digestive system diseases |
| Inadequate care of dental prosthesis |
Respiratory diseases |
| Teeth in bad condition (cavities, for example) |
GERD, renal failure |
| Mouth abscess |
Hormonal disorders |
| Food debris between the teeth |
Alcohol and tobacco |
| Dry mouth |
Caffeine, garlic, and onions |
| Gingivitis |
Medications that reduce saliva production |
| Periodontitis |
Medications that contain sulfur |
| Oral thrush |
Metabolic diseases (diabetes, for example) |
| Mouth tumours |
Intestinal flora disorder |
As was shown above, there are many causes of bad breath, and they can be classified into two broad categories.2
Let us add the fact that halitosis can occur at any age. However, it is more frequent in people who are 50 years and older.
Having Optimal Oral Hygiene Habits Is the Most Effective Treatment
In most cases, bad breath is temporary. It is pathological only in some rare cases.
The most effective treatment to manage or eliminate halitosis is undoubtedly brushing your teeth with a high-quality toothbrush using a dentist-recommended toothpaste. We suggest brushing your teeth at least three times per day.
It is also a good idea to include tongue cleaning in your oral health routine.
Finally, it is important to remember to clean the spaces between your teeth properly using dental floss or an interdental brush. Keep in mind that a substantial number of bacteria live in these places.
Dr. Normand Bach, your orthodontist in the heart of Plateau-Mont-Royal, can answer all your questions about bad breath. Do not hesitate to ask him during your next visit.
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1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6294969/
2 http://www.institutdelhaleine.fr/bibliotheque-medicale-sur-lhalitose/les-causes-de-lhalitose-ou-mauvaise-haleine/causes-de-lhalitose-dans-la-bouche/
