Misconceptions exist in relation to halitosis, including: Low prevalence Aetiology: gastrointestinal origin No reference practitioner exists It has no solution or treatment In this presentation we will debunk these misconceptions...

1. MISCONCEPTIONS
about HALITOSIS

2. MISCONCEPTIONS
Misconceptions exist in relation to halitosis, including:
1. Low prevalence
2. Aetiology: gastrointestinal origin
3. No reference practitioner exists
4. It has no solution or treatment
In this presentation we will debunk these misconceptions...

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

4. Types of halitosis
Halitosis 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.

5. Causes
Mainly 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.

6. Signs and Symptoms
Halitosis 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.

7. 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.

8. Misconception1: Low Prevalence
Around 30% of the adult population is estimated to have or to
have had halitosis at some time.

9. Misconception 2: Origin
Almost 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

10. Misconception 3: No reference
practitioner exists
Halitosis or bad breath is a problem that originates in the oral
cavity.
REFERENCE PRACTITIONER:
DENTIST

11. Misconception 4: No solution
The 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 +

12. 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.

13. 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).

14. Treatment
For 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.

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

16. 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
Treatment
PREVENTION

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

18. 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 of
Mechanical tongue cleaning on oral levels of volatile sulfur compounds