Halitosis Causes and Cures

November 13th, 2015

Ever been trapped in a meeting with someone with serious bad breath? Few things are more frustrating and disgusting than having to smell someone else’s foul breath. Knowing that you’re the cause of that frustration and disgust in others is a difficult thing. Let’s learn more about halitosis causes, and more importantly, the cures!woman with halitosis

What Causes Halitosis?

Just like other oral health problems, the cause can always be traced back to bacteria. As the bacteria breaks down the proteins they use for food, they give off volatile sulfur compounds (VCSs). The more bacteria you have in your mouth, the more of these sulfuric compounds will be released.

Halitosis Treatments:

While brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are all popular treatment methods, these are not the best methods. The bacteria mostly coat the back of the tongue, out of reach of toothbrushes. Mouthwash can mask the scent for a time, but it does not kill off the bacteria. What can work? Tongue scraping can be effective because it can reach the bacteria that brushing cannot. However, the bacteria will continue to multiply, so regular oral care will be necessary.

A Halitosis Cure?

While science has yet to find a permanent cure for halitosis, the use of mouthwash that has the germicide Chlorine Dioxide in it has been shown in this study to significantly improve mouth odors for at least eight hours after use. The reason Chlorine Dioxide rinses are more effective than traditional mouthwash is because they are able to kill the odor-causing bacteria.

While up to 90% of halitosis cases result from this overgrowth of sulfurous bacteria, there can be other causes. If you suffer from halitosis, check with your dentist to make sure no infections or other oral problems could be the cause. At Carter Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we care about your overall oral health and the effect your oral health has on your well-being. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.