Types of Halitosis Explained
There are two types of bad breath, or halitosis, that a person can have. It may be situational or chronic bad breath.
Situational halitosis is caused by eating certain foods with a strong odor, such as garlic or onions. The salvia in the human mouth breaks down all foods that you eat. As the foods are digested, they absorb into your bloodstream and the odor is carried to your lungs, resulting in the odor on your breath. In this case, the halitosis is temporary and lasts until the foods pass through the body. You can use breath mints, mouthwash, brushing and flossing to remove the odor temporarily, until the food is completed digested, and then the odor disappears.
Chronic halitosis is a more serious condition that can be a sign of other health problems. Daily brushing and flossing promotes good oral health in removing food particles from around and on your teeth and also your tongue. When food particles remain in your mouth, they promote bacterial growth on your gums, tongue and cheeks, which gives off a bad odor or halitosis.
Dentures should be cleaned each night in an effervescent cleaner to keep them from absorbing odors and releasing them in the form of halitosis. A person with chronic halitosis may not realize that they have bad breath at all.
The process of acclimation occurs with chronic halitosis, which means that the person smells the odor all the time and the body is so used to the odor, that the nose eliminates the halitosis or neutralizes it enabling them to smell other things.
Chronic Halitosis and Health Problems
Chronic halitosis is a symptom of periodontal disease, or gum disease. This can lead to loose teeth and teeth loss if not corrected. Poorly fitting partials or dentures allow bacteria beneath and around them causing gun disease. Cavities and mouth infections including bacterial or yeast have symptoms of chronic halitosis.
Chronic Halitosis Dental Treatments
If you have a family member or close friend, it is best to alert them to his or her odoriferous breath so they can seek dental treatment. A complete dental exam and an in depth teeth cleaning can correct bad breath. Checking and fitting dental devices, such as partials and bridges, or dentures correctly may be what a person needs. It may be a simple procedure as filling a cavity or using a prescription antibacterial mouthwash on a daily basis.
