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What is halitosis? what is oral malodour ? what is bad breath? |
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Halitosis is a medical term, first coined by the Listerine company in 1921.
The scientific term for halitosis is oral malodour , but it is also known as breath odour, or most commonly bad breath. It means a noticeably unpleasant odor exhaled when breathing.
Types of Halitosis
Transient bad breath is a very common temporary condition caused by such things as:
- oral dryness
- stress
- hunger (when it is known as ketosis)
- eating certain foods such as garlic and onions
- smoking
- poor oral hygiene
"Morning breath" is a common example of transient bad breath. Transient bad breath gradually disappears on its own, or with the aid of chewing gum, mouth fresheners or brushing one's teeth.
Chronic bad breath is a more serious and persistent condition affecting up to 25% of the population in varying degrees. It can negatively impact the individual's personal and business relationships, leading to poor self-esteem and increased stress.
This condition is usually caused by persistent overpopulation of certain types of oral bacteria, primarily streptococcus mutans, and requires specialised treatment.
Xerostomia (dry mouth syndrome) will increase bad breath problems.
Fetor hepaticus is a type of severely bad breath caused by chronic liver failure. It has been said to resemble the smell of a freshly opened corpse.
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