Have you ever felt too embarrassed to speak because of bad breath or found yourself fleeing a room due to someone’s unpleasant oral odor? Dr. Kaveri Bilgi, a dental specialist at Meditest Diagnostics, offers expert insight into the causes and solutions for halitosis.
She defines halitosis as an unpleasant smell from the mouth, often a sign of underlying dental or health issues such as cavities, gum disease, diabetes, or digestive disorders. There are two types: physiological halitosis, common in the morning due to inactivity in the mouth overnight, and pathological halitosis, which stems from diseases like gingivitis, oral ulcers, or chronic dry mouth.
Contributing factors include poor oral hygiene, smoking, certain foods like garlic and onions, dry mouth, and some medications. Dr. Kaveri emphasizes the role of saliva in neutralizing acids and preventing bacterial growth; when the mouth is dry, bacteria flourish, worsening the odor.
She outlines practical remedies: brushing twice daily using the correct technique, regular tongue cleaning, staying hydrated, avoiding sugary drinks, keeping dental prosthetics clean, and using antibacterial or salt water mouth rinses. Most importantly, she recommends dental check-ups every six months to detect and treat problems early.
