One thing about halitosis is that even your best friend won’t tell you. That’s what they used to say about one of the most personal and often embarrassing problems commonly faced by millions of people. It is true that this can be a delicate subject. It is usually referred to as chronic bad breath, and anyone can have it no matter how carefully he or she takes care of their teeth and overall health.

One of the basic things to understand about halitosis is that it is not a uniform, consistent condition. It can vary in several ways including but not limited to intensity, type and the occurrence of associated symptoms. Most people don’t know that about halitosis. Another common misconception about halitosis is that the causes are limited to what you eat and how well you take care of your teeth and gums. That is a potentially dangerous assumption. If you have bad breath, while unpleasant, is always harmless, that may prevent you from seriously examining your own condition and learning more about halitosis. In fact, there are many causes of this problem.

Food and Halitosis

Yes, it can be caused by what you eat; garlic or onions are perfect examples of that. This type of halitosis is called physiological halitosis, meaning that chemical processes generated by anaerobic bacteria in the mouth or throat cause it. Some other causes are likewise minor and pose no significant threat to your state of health. However, the more about halitosis you know, the more likely you are to look for a specific cause because some of them are indeed serious and do pose risks to your health. These types of halitosis caused by these factors are called pathological halitosis. Basically, what you need to know about halitosis of this type is that it is systemic in origin and denotes some form of functional disorder or disease.

Halitosis Treatment

Unfortunately, there is not one simple test that can identify all the causes of or provide all of the pertinent information about halitosis of a pathological origin. The causes of the problem can range from dysfunctional conditions of the various organs like the lungs or the kidneys, to dental issues like gum disease, dry socket and others. It can also be a result of nasal and throat conditions like sinusitis to name just one.

If you are affected by this condition, a good place to start is visiting your dental hygienist.

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to "periodontitis" (which means "inflammation around the tooth.")  In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called "pockets") that become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body's natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed.  The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.