Halitosis

Halitosis is defined as "bad breath." It is a very common problem since most of the population, at some point in their life, has suffered a temporary halitosis. It is a symptom that can reflect a pathology of oral origin or outside of it. It is estimated that 90% of the causes of bad breath have their origin in the mouth while the remaining 10% have their origin in alterations or manifestations of extraoral processes.

The main cause of halitosis is the activity of anaerobic bacteria that, as their name suggests, live in areas of the mouth, tongue and oral mucosa with little oxygen. They are bacteria that are part of the usual flora of the mouth. The role of these bacteria, in halitosis, is the production of malodorous volatile gases through the transformation of food debris.

We will cite below the main causes of halitosis:

• Oral causes: are those that are caused by alterations in the teeth, gums, saliva and the mucosa of the mouth.
• Denture: due to food debris that may remain between the teeth, cavities, inflammatory processes in tooth eruption such as pericoronitis (common in the eruption of the wisdom tooth), the presence of oral prostheses, reconstructive surgical treatments or dental extractions, etc.
• Gingiva: it can be a symptom of gingivitis, periodontitis or abscesses due to periodontal disease.
• Saliva: the decrease in saliva induces changes in oral Ph and favors the appearance of halitosis.
• Tongue: poor hygiene can provide a good refuge for anaerobic bacteria.
• Oral mucosa: its lesions, such as oral ulcers or canker sores, can also be a source of halitosis.
• Diseases such as diabetes can promote alterations in the mucous membranes, in the gums and in the production of saliva causing bad breath. In addition, some metabolic alterations in the body can manifest themselves in this way, such as ketosis.
• Extraoral causes, it has been estimated that they constitute 10% of all halitosis.
• Upper respiratory disorders such as tonsillitis, colds, sinusitis, oral breathing, laryngitis, foreign bodies lodged in the nose.
• Alterations in the lower respiratory tract: pathologies as diverse as pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
• Organ alterations: liver or kidney failure can cause halitosis due to the increase in debris in the body. These end up being partially and insufficiently eliminated through the breath. Its accumulation gives rise to halitosis.
• The consumption of alcohol and tobacco also favors halitosis.
• Digestive disorders: gastroenteritis and gastroesophageal reflux are very common causes of halitosis.