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BAD BREATH IS BREATH WITH AN UNPLEASANT ODOR. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS HALITOSIS
Bad breath is breath with an unpleasant odor. It is also known as Halitosis. Depending on the reason, it can be temporary or permanent.
Millions of bacteria live in the mouth, on the back of the tongue. These are the causes of bad breath in most people. The warm and humid environment of the mouth creates the ideal conditions for the growth of these bacteria. Bad breath is most often caused by a cause in the mouth that leads to it.
Some bad breath can be considered normal and there is no need to worry about them. An example of this is the bad breath that occurs in the morning. This smell is caused by changes that occur in your mouth while you sleep. During the day, saliva removes food residues and odors from the mouth. But the body secretes less saliva in the evening. Your mouth dries out and dead cells stick to the inside of the tongue and cheek. Bacteria use these cells for food, and thus a bad smell occurs.
In addition, bad breath can also occur for the following reasons:
- Poor oral hygiene – Irregular and poor brushing of teeth and lack of flossing leads to rotting of food fragments in the mouth.
- Infections in the mouth – Periodontal (gum) diseases, etc.
- Respiratory tract infections – Throat, sinus or respiratory tract infections
- External factors – consumption of garlic , onions, coffee, cigarettes, tobacco
- Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – caused by salivary gland problems, medications, or “mouth breathing”.
- Systemic diseases – diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, kidney diseases, lung diseases, sinusitis.
- Psychological illnesses – Some people believe they smell, but others don’t notice it. This condition is called “pseudohalitosis” (false bad breath).
1- What are the Symptoms of Bad Breath?
You can’t always notice your bad breath. This is because the olfactory cells in the nose get used to this smell over time. Other people may notice this smell and withdraw while you are talking.
Other symptoms of bad breath vary depending on the cause of the odor:
- Poor oral hygiene – Teeth are covered with film or plaque. Food can get stuck between the teeth
- Mouth infections – Symptoms depend on the type of infection:
- Red and swollen gums bleed a lot, especially after brushing.
- An infection between the teeth or on the decussation of the teeth
- Dislocated teeth or changes in the location of dentures
- Painful sores on the tongue or gums
- Respiratory diseases – Swollen throat, swollen lymphatic nodes in the throat, fever, stuffy nose, phlegmatic cough
- External factors – cigarette marks on fingers and teeth, coffee marks on teeth
- Dry mouth – The symptoms are as follows:
- Trouble swallowing dry food
- Inability to speak for a long time due to dry mouth
- Burning in the mouth
- Too many bruises
- Dry eyes (in Sjögren’s syndrome)
- Systemic (whole body) diseases – symptoms of diabetes, lung diseases, liver and kidney diseases
2- How is Bad Breath Diagnosed?
A dentist or doctor may notice if you have bad breath during an examination. Sometimes, the smell of the patient’s breath can indicate the cause of the problem. For example, ”fruity” bad breath can be an indicator of diabetes. If it is a urine-like smell, it may be a sign of kidney failure.
Your Turkish dentist examines the causes that may cause dry mouth and odor by looking at the medications you have used and your history. Your dentist will also ask questions about your personal habits (smoking, tobacco) and nutrition.
Your dentist in Istanbul checks your teeth, gums and glands. It evaluates breath coming out of the mouth and nose by examining your head and neck.
If one of the causes is a disease that has spread throughout the body, consult your family doctor. If there is a case of gum disease, your dentist recommends seeing a Periodontologist (gum disease specialist).
If your doctor suspects a respiratory infection, diabetes, kidney disease, or sjörgen syndrome, more detailed tests may be required. The required tests vary depending on the suspected disease. Blood and urine tests, chest and sinus x-rays, and some other tests may need to be performed.
3- What is the Expected Time?
How long bad breath lasts depends on the cause that led to this condition. For example, if the cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene, your breathing starts to improve immediately with proper dental care. With normal brushing and flossing, the results will be much better within a few days. Periodontal diseases and dental abscesses also respond very well to dental treatment. If the bad smell is caused by the sinuses, the odor problem may reappear.
Bad breath caused by systemic diseases can be a longer-term problem. It can usually be controlled with dental treatment.
4- How to Prevent Bad Breath?
Bad breath caused by dental problems can be easily prevented by home care and professional care:
- Brushing teeth, tongue and gums at least 30 minutes after meals
- Daily use of dental floss
- The use of mouthwash
Visiting the dentist at least twice a year for dental cleaning and maintenance
You can also fight bad breath by consuming enough water every day. Decanting your mouth with a sip of water occasionally also displaces food fragments. Other products can also help you keep your breath fresh and prevent plaque formation. These:
- Sugar-Free Gum
- Unsweetened mint
- Raw carrots
- Celery
- Halitosis Treatment
- The treatment of bad breath varies depending on the cause.
5- When should you contact a professional?
If you have a dislocated tooth next to bad breath or swollen gums that cause pain, you should contact a dentist. It is recommended to go to the dentist if the following symptoms are also present along with bad breath:
- Fever
- Swollen throat
- Postnasal discharge
- Pale nasal discharge
- Phlegmatic cough
If there are none of these symptoms and bad breath persists despite taking care of your teeth, contact a dentist. Sometimes bad breath can be a sign of a medical condition that needs to be taken care of immediately. If you have diabetes, reflux disease (GERD) or a chronic respiratory disease, it may be necessary to seek help from another specialist.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.