Oral odor or Halitosis

Understanding

Halitosis is a condition where a person has an unpleasant breath aroma. In society, this disorder is better known as bad breath. This disorder is one problem that is often experienced by many people.

Basically bad breath is divided into two groups, namely bad breath due to natural causes and bad breath because of unnatural causes. Bad breath due to natural causes such as morning breath or when you are fasting. While bad breath because of unnatural causes is usually associated with more serious health problems.

Halitosis is often considered a shame. If it is not immediately treated, bad breath can reduce your confidence. Even it is not impossible that halitosis can also reduce the quality of your life.

Diagnosis
Dianosis of halitosis or bad breath is done through a series of interviews and a thorough physical examination of the oral and dental cavities. An examination is also performed on the area of ​​the nose and throat - if there is a wound.

If a systemic disease is suspected, other supporting examinations are needed. Examination that can be done is:

• Endoscopy
• Abdominal X-ray
• Chest X-ray

Symptoms

The most recognizable symptoms of halitosis are:

• Smell the smell of bad breath from the mouth
• The mouth feels dry
• There is a white layer on the surface of the tongue that allows bacteria to develop

Treatment

Halitosis or bad breath because of the reason that waajr (like the smell of breath when you wake up) can be overcome by brushing your teeth. However, halitosis due to unnatural causes requires more serious treatment.

Here are some things that can be done to overcome the problem of halitosis:

• Brush your teeth twice a day. The best time to do this is in the morning (after breakfast) and at night (before going to bed).
• Change toothbrush after 3 to 4 months. If before changing the toothbrush before it's damaged and uncomfortable to use, immediately replace it.
• Perform tongue cleansing regularly. This can be done using a soft toothbrush or tongue cleaner.
• Flossing once a day to remove plaque and food scraps stuck between gaps. You can also use Mouthwash to clean hard-to-reach areas of toothbrushes.
• The use of mouthwash (antibacterial mouthwash) can help reduce bacterial growth in the mouth. For example mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. Consult first with your dentist in using the mouthwash.
• Do scaling (tartar cleaning).
• Immediately repair and fill teeth with holes.
• Stop smoking and use tobacco products.
• Drink plenty of water to maintain the humidity of the oral cavity.
• Consume sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva so that it can help cleanse food scraps and bacteria.
• Pay attention to diet. Avoid or reduce foods that can trigger bad breath.
• Clean the dentures and let go while sleeping at night.
• Make regular visits to the dentist every 6 months for routine checks and cleaning.

Cause

Halitosis can be caused by many things. Some of them are:

• Poor oral hygiene. Without good oral cleansing, leftovers will be left in the mouth. This can trigger the development of bacteria in the mouth and on the surface of the tongue which causes odor in the mouth. In addition, leftovers that stick to teeth, gums and tongue will cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and cavities. The result is an increase in bad breath and unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Poor cleaning of dentures. Dentures that are not cleaned properly can cause accumulation of food scraps and bacteria on the surface of dentures. This can trigger an unpleasant odor.
• Gum disease or periodontal tissue (tooth supporting tissue).
• Systemic disease. Bad breath can be a symptom of certain diseases, such as respiratory infections, digestive disorders, diabetes, or abnormalities in the liver.
• Xerostomia (dry mouth). The use of certain drugs can cause the mouth to dry out, especially drugs to treat depression and high blood pressure. Xerostomia can also be caused by abnormalities in the salivary glands so that saliva production decreases. In addition, the habit of breathing through the mouth can also cause the mouth to tend to become drier.
• Smoke.