MISCONCEPTIONSabout HALITOSIS

MISCONCEPTIONS

Misconceptions exist in relation to halitosis, including:1. Low prevalence2. Aetiology: gastrointestinal origin3. No reference practitioner exists4. It has no solution or treatment

In this presentation we will debunk these misconceptions...

What is halitosis?

Halitosis, or bad breath, is defined as a set of unpleasant or offensive odours that emanate from the mouth.

Types of halitosisHalitosis can be:• Physiologic: when the bad odour originates on the tongue

dorsum.• Oral pathologic: When it is caused by some form of gum

disease: gingivitis or periodontitis. • Extraoral pathologic: associated mainly with ENT-related

problems.

CausesMainly caused by the presence in the oral cavity of gases known as volatile sulphur compounds (VSC): Hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide

These malodorous gases cause the bacterial fermentation of proteins, peptids, mucins or cells found in saliva, blood, gingival crevicular fluid or any food debris that is retained on oral surfaces.

Signs and SymptomsHalitosis of oral origin is characterised by the emission of gases with an unpleasant odour. This odour is more intense:

• First thing in the morning after waking (for lack of oral activity and reduced saliva).

• After several hours of fasting.• In stressful situations. • After talking for long periods of time.

Signs and Symptoms• Gingivitis-associated halitosis: gums are red and bleed easily.• Periodontitis-associated halitosis: gums are inflamed, bleed

easily and change in shape or form, tooth mobility, spaces between teeth, black triangles, changes in tooth position.

Individuals are a poor judge of their own breath, as bad taste or oral dryness are sometimes mistakenly construed as being bad breath.

Misconception1: Low Prevalence

Around 30% of the adult population is estimated to have or to have had halitosis at some time.

Misconception 2: OriginAlmost 90% of halitosis originates in the mouth. Only 13% is associated with ENT-related problems or unknown problems (not even related to intestinal problems, as believed by the majority).

60% of oral halitosis is associated with some form of periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis). The rest is of lingual origin.

87%

8%5%

Origen halitosis

Origen Oral Otorrinolaringológico Desconocido

41%

31%

28%Origen Lingual

Gingivitis

Periodontitis

Origen oral

Misconception 3: No reference practitioner exists

Halitosis or bad breath is a problem that originates in the oral cavity.

REFERENCE PRACTITIONER:

DENTIST

Misconception 4: No solutionThe TREATMENT of oral halitosis consists of:1. Reducing the number of bacteria that produce the bad odour,

which are mainly present on the backmost portion of the tongue dorsum and in gingival sulcus or pockets.

2. Reducing proteins involved in the metabolic process of these bacteria.

3. Neutralising the volatilisation of these malodorous products so that they are no longer perceivable.

DAILY HABITS +

Daily Habits• Caring for your oral hygiene:

– Brushing should be done 3 times a day for 2 minutes.– Also use interdental cleaning devices such as dental tape and floss,

interproximal brushes or oral irrigators.– Tongue cleaning with a tongue cleaner is very important for reducing

bacterial build-up.

• Drink lots of water to prevent oral dryness, which can lead to halitosis.

• Avoid long periods of fasting by reducing the time between meals.

Daily Habits• Limit consumption of tobacco, coffee and alcohol. And foods

such as: garlic, onion,…• Avoid using alcohol-based mouthrinses or sprays, as these can

worsen the situation.• Maintain a balanced diet, rich in natural foods. Vitamin B

deficiency can cause halitosis.• Chew sugarless or Xylitol-containing gum to increase saliva

production.• Visit your dentist regularly (once every 6 months).

TreatmentFor PHYSIOLOGIC HALITOSIS:1. Professional dental cleaning and polishing 2. Stress oral hygiene: besides toothbrushing, include

interdental cleaning with dental tape and floss and/or interdental brushes.

3. Tongue cleaning with a tongue cleaner, reaching the backmost portion of the tongue.

4. Gargle with a specific mouthwash to reach the backmost portion of the tongue dorsum.

TreatmentFor ORAL PATHOLOGIC HALITOSIS:Besides the above we would add:5. Treating gum disease.6. Treating all existing oral diseases, including caries, inadequate fixed prostheses,…

HALITA® doesn’t hide bad breath; it attacks the root of the problem**Roldán S, Herrera D, Santa-Cruz I, O’Connor A, González I, Sanz M: Comparative effects of different chlorhexidine mouth-rinse

formulations on volatile sulphur compounds and salivary bacterial counts. J Clin Periodontol 2004.

TREATMENT

TreatmentSCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN

PREVENTION

We recommend you visit the following web pages: www.halita.es www.dentaid.es http://blogsaludbucal.es/

For more information

Scientific Support

Rainer seemann, d.M.D., Ph.D.; Andi kison; Mozhgan bizhang, d.M.D., Ph.D.; Stefan Zimmer, d.M.D., Ph.D. , Effectiveness ofMechanical tongue cleaning on oral levels of volatile sulfur compounds