Halitosis

Halitosis is bad breath related to foul smells coming from the mouth. It is important to understand that not all bad breath is of mouth origin. It can also be related to your nose, gut, or medication. Therefore, it is important you see your oral health professional in order to help determine its origin before seeking other treatment. If it is related to the mouth it is usually caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) that arise from bacterial breakdown of proteins. Other causes can include certain foods (like coffee and garlic), smoking, gum disease, dry mouth, tonsilitis and poor oral hygiene.

Treatment of halitosis

Currently the best way to treat halitosis is to limit smelly causes (smoking,certain foods), gently remove bacteria and nutrients from the tongue via a tongue cleaner or toothbrush and finally have regular check ups from a oral health practitioner as it may be gum related requiring a professional clean.

Tongue Cleaners Vs ToothBrushes

Cochrane studies have found that tongue scrapers or cleaners are slightly more effective than toothbrushes as a means of controlling halitosis in adults. This study showed that although tongue cleaners are generally well accepted, the effects of tongue cleaning is short lived and there is some limited evidence that tongue trauma can occur with prolonged use. What does this mean? basically if you a prone to oral induced halitosis, then you may benefit from tongue cleaners. But remember to have regular check ups with the dentist in order to see how your cleaning is going and if there is any trauma happening to the tongue. As well as being able to address the other causes of halitosis.