Bad Breath-Halitosis

It is also known as Mouth Odour or halitosis. Halitosis, also termed as feter ex are or fetor oris, is foul or offensive odour emitted from the oral cavity emitted from the oral cavity. Mouth odours are of diagnostic significance. The origin of Mouth Odours may be either oral or extra oral. Oral cause has also been termed as oral malodor.

Causes of bad breath

(1) Retention of bad smelling food particles on an between the teeth. These food particles lead to unpleasant smell.

(2) Retention of food particles may also occur on the tongue, thereby form a coating on the tongue which further results in production of offensive. Odour.

(3) Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a condition, in which bad breath is commonly felt.

(4) Person suffering from dehydration also suffers from bad breath.

(5) Caries is the major causative agent of unpleasant smell from the mouth. In case of caries, there is accumulation of food particles in the tooth cavity, leading to acid production and finally untolerable odour.

(6) In case of old persons who wear artificial dentures, and do not clean their dentures property. It leads to collection of food particles an finally bad odour. Due to this reason, denture wearers are advised to remove their dentures out of mouth at night and insert in the mouth, in the morning only after proper cleaning.

(7) Person who smokes regularly, also shows the incredences of bad breath. Smoking has been believed to be the major causative agent of offensive smelling breath which if it persists for much longer time, then it leads to severe consequences.

(12) Alcoholic breath, the acetone odour of diabetes, and the uremic breath that accompanies kidney dysfunctions are also the examples of bad breath.