Severe Halitosis Causes & Infections

Halitosis is an unpleasant part of normal living, with causes ranging from a lack of hygiene to serious infections. You can try to cover it up with breath mints, but halitosis can't be treated correctly unless the problem that causes it is identified.

Significance

• Halitosis is basically defined as "bad breath" by the American Dental Association; it involves any kind of unpleasant odor associated with your breath. Chronic halitosis can be an indication of a deeper problem.

Causes

• Sometimes, halitosis is simply the result of bacterial growth inside your mouth, or an infection of the lungs. Also, certain medications or diseases which cause dry mouth can result in chronic halitosis.

Function

• Bacteria in the mouth and respiratory system tend to release noxious odors as byproducts of chemical reactions. Saliva helps to cleanse the oral cavity, and so dry mouth results in a dirtier mouth and foul breath.

Prevention/Solution

• Chronic halitosis can only be treated effectively by dealing with the root cause. For instance, antibiotics can be prescribed to eliminate a bacterial infection in the respiratory tract, while regular brushing and flossing can usually deal with hygienic halitosis.

Warning

• Because severe halitosis is usually caused by a more serious condition, it should not be ignored or simply covered up. It's worth a visit to the doctor to find the root cause.