eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Halitosis, or bad breath, affects nearly all of us at some point, causing embarrassment in social situations. Halitosis usually results from the foods you eat and the cleanliness of your teeth, but bad breath can also be caused by certain medical conditions. If bad breath persists despite your best efforts to keep your breath minty... more »
Halitosis is a fancy term for bad breath. The causes of halitosis range from a garlicky meal to certain diseases. However, halitosis can become embarrassing if it grows into a chronic problem. A dentist may be able to prescribe a cure for your bad breath, but you can often save some money by using natural cures for halitosis. more »
Gum disease is not a condition that suddenly appears. It begins as gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that may cause some tenderness and bleeding while brushing. If gingivitis is left untreated, it becomes a more severe condition known as gum disease more »
Tea tree oil is an essential oil made from the leaves of the Malaleuca alternifolia plant, which is native to Australia. Used as a medicinal remedy for many ailments, tea tree oil's popularity in the U.S. has grown substantially in the past 20 years. more »
A dental implant is a titanium anchor that is placed in the jaw bone to replace the root of a tooth. While implants avoid the bone loss and other problems that come with bridges and dentures, the area around the implant is occasionally susceptible to infection. The risk of infection is highest in the immediate postoperative period,... more »
The two main types of gum disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis, are caused by tooth decay from...
Halitosis is a treatable condition in which the main symptom is breath that has a continually foul-smelling odor. If unrecognized or left... more »
Halitosis is what most people refer to as "bad breath." While there may or may not be an underlying cause of halitosis, the result of the... more »
Halitosis is a term used to describe bad breath. There are a variety of reasons why someone might develop halitosis, such as poor dental hygiene,... more »
Halitosis, also known as bad breath, has a number of causes that are preventable. Generally, health concerns that require attention anyway can... more »
Adults aren't the only people that can be afflicted with bad breath. Children of all ages can be, too. Parents often worry that bad breath is a... more »
| ICD9
| ICDO
| OMIM
| MedlinePlus 003058
| eMedicineSubj
| eMedicineTopic
| MeshID
}}
Halitosis, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source due to bacteria or otherwise.
Halitosis has a significant impact – personally and socially – on those who suffer from it or believe they do (halitophobia), and is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.loesche>Loesche WJ, Kazor C. Microbiology and treatment of halitosis. Periodontology 2000. 2002;28:256-79. PMID 12013345.
General
In most cases (85–90%), bad breath originates in the mouth itself."rosenberg0">Rosenberg M. The science of bad breath. Sci Am. 2002 Apr;286(4):72-9. PMID 11905111. The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, due to eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese), obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.Rosenberg M, Knaan T, Cohen D. Association among bad breath, body mass index, and alcohol intake. J Dent Res. 2007 Oct;86(10):997-1000. PMID 17890678.Knaan T, Cohen D, Rosenberg M. Predicting bad breath in the non-complaining population. Oral Dis. 2005;11 Suppl 1:105-6. Because the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night, the odor is usually worse upon awakening ("morning breath"). Bad breath may be transient, often disappearing following eating, brushing ones teeth, flossing, or rinsing with specialized mouthwash.
Bad breath may also be persistent (chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees.Bosy A, Oral malodor: philosophical and practical aspects. J Can Dent Assoc. 1997 Mar;63(3):196-201 PMID 9086681. It can negatively affect the individuals personal, social, and business re read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis
Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:
How to Get Fired Gracefully
How to Stop a Shopaholic
How to Drive Defensively During the Holidays
Wonders of the World
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
