HALITOSIS
What is halitosis?
Halitosis (or bad breath) is a condition that affects almost 50% of the population, according to some studies. It is a problem that worries many people. It results from the emanation of gases (volatile sulphur compounds) by our mouth and the reasons for it are very diverse.
What are the causes of halitosis?
Many studies have revealed that between 85% and 90% of cases are caused by mouth problems. The other 10%-15% may be due to digestive, respiratory, metabolic problems or systemic problems of different types
Periodontal disease and/or inadequate hygiene of the tongue are the most frequent mouth-related causes of bad breath. Bad breath can also be due to other mouth infections such as cavities, abcesses, fistulas, etc
How does periodontal disease cause halitosis?
Periodontal disease begins with gum inflammation due to an accumulation of plaque. Subsequently, oxygenated-deprived sacks are created between the tooth and the gum, and a great deal of gram-negative anaerobic bacteria become trapped there. These bacteria are responsible for producing the volatile sulphur compounds, and thus halitosis.
Why is cleaning the tongue so important in the control of bad breath?
The tongue is the ideal refuge for anaerobic bacteria (the cause of halitosis) because of its large surface area full of taste papillae, filiforms, crevices and other anatomical irregularities that are conducive to the proliferation of these bacteria. That is why cleaning the tongue is so important as a first step in controlling halitosis.
