Halitosis is derived from the Latin word “halitus” which means breath and the Greek suffix “osis” which means condition. Halitosis is a medical term and is more commonly known as bad breath and it is characterized by very unpleasant odors when breathing. Halitosis should not be taken lightly, because it affects approximately 25% of the population in varying degrees, and it affects personal and/or business relationships as well as self-esteem.
There are two types of halitosis. The first may be a short-term halitosis that stems from temporary conditions such as dryness of the mouth and eating foods such as onions and garlic. The second is a long-term or a chronic type of halitosis, which stems from oral bacteria and poor oral hygiene over a long period of time.
Short-Term Halitosis
Short-term halitosis is common and not much of a problem. It is most commonly felt when the mouth is dry, which can happen when you first wake up or at some other part of the day. When you sleep, the body will naturally reduce the flow of saliva. Saliva is important in reducing breath odor because it encourages us to swallow, washing away bacteria as well as the food debris which they feed upon. This is the reason why we have what we call our “morning breath”, and this is also the reason why people who speak for extended periods of time and therefore have dryer mouths (such as lawyers and teachers), experience short-term halitosis.
A simple solution for this is by chewing. Chewing helps stimulate the flow of saliva, and it will help reduce the incidence of short-term halitosis.
Chronic Halitosis
The problem for about 80% of people suffering from chronic halitosis lies on the bacteria that reside in the mouth. These bacteria feed upon the food that we eat and excrete waste products. These waste products are generally termed by scientists as “volatile sulfur compounds” or VSCs, which are compounds that contain sulfur and will readily evaporate even at room temperature. These compounds, which readily mix in the air, are the prime reasons why our breaths offend those around us.
The bacteria that excrete VSCs are typically anaerobic in nature (meaning that they prefer live in places where there is little oxygen). They can primarily be found at the back of the tongue, and they may occur in other places as well. Also, when layers of plaque accumulate on the teeth, they create a great living environment for these anaerobic bacteria.
Curing Halitosis
The most effective way to reduce halitosis is by cleaning your tongue to remove anaerobic bacteria. When brushing, be sure to clean your tongue thoroughly, even reaching to the back of your tongue (you may gag a little but it’s natural). Also, it wouldn’t hurt to try mouthwash, especially those with special compounds (such as chlorine dioxide) with the ability to kill anaerobic bacteria and reduce VSCs in your mouth. Drinking plenty of water and rinsing your mouth often with water will also help.
If problems still persist even after following the steps stated above, it is always best to seek the help of your dentist.
