White Tongue and Bad Breath:Causes of White Coated Tongue and Bad Breath

Causes of White Coated Tongue and Bad Breath

Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia is a pre-cancerous lesion which in fact can occur anywhere in the oral cavity, although the tongue and the buccal mucosa are the most commonly affected regions. The white patches on the tongue are thick and are not easily removable. So, they do not disappear on scraping. This way it can be confirmed that they are 'not the patches formed due to oral candidiasis'. Normally such patches are asymptomatic, though sometimes, they may cause burning sensation in the mouth. This is not a common cause. People suffering from AIDS or HIV or those who often chew tobacco are more susceptible to leukoplakia. Let us now take a look at the common causes of white coated tongue.

Oral Candidiasis: Candidiasis or yeast infection is one of the leading white tongue causes. The fungus Candida albicans plays an important role in the formation of a thin film over your tongue. This type of oral infection mostly occurs if you have a weak or compromised immune system. Ill-fitting dentures or prostheses are also responsible for occurrence of such an infection. You will be able to notice white spots on the tongue and/or the palate, due to the infection. These white spots or patches normally look like white velvety flecks and are present uniformly on the dorsal surface of the tongue. These patches are removable and when removed, raw bleeding areas on the tongue can be observed. Generally, white tongue causes bad breath, sometimes it may cause burning sensation.

Oral thrush causes also include, sugar rich diet, a weakened immune system, too much of antibiotics, HIV/AIDS, cancer, smoking, dry mouth, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and side effects of medicines.

Geographic Tongue: In a condition known as 'geographic tongue', irregular patches on the dorsal surface of the tongue are observed. The papillae present on the tongue give it its velvety appearance but if they shed off, geographic tongue can be noticed. 'Bald patches' can be noticed on the surface of the tongue. Such tongue patches usually have prominent demarcations, generally white in color. It is believed that geographic tongue may occur due to vitamin B complex deficiency or it may be hereditary. It has been observed that the papillae regrow in the region of the dorsal surface where they are shed and then shed in another region of the tongue. That is why this condition is also referred to as benign migratory glossitis.

Other Causes: As the question 'what causes white tongue' is lingering in your mind, here are some more causes of white tongue and bad breath. When there are white lines on the tongue, forming a lace like pattern on the tongue or the buccal (inner cheek) mucosa, the condition is called oral lichen planus. The exact cause of lichen planus are not yet known but it is believed that stress and tobacco can cause lichen planus.

Other coated tongue and bad breath causes include severe dehydration, alcohol abuse, indigestion, excessive smoking, overuse of broad spectrum antibiotics, chronic illnesses, etc. The white patches on the tongue may occur due to infections or due to bad habits.

Time Tested Solution to Get Rid of Onion Breath

Time Tested Solution to Get Rid of Onion Breath

Mint/ Parsley
One of the most popular solution to take care of onion breath is the herb called mint. You can go in for some minty chews, chewing gums, bubble gums or even some mint flavored tea. Alternately, crush some fresh green leaves of mint or parsley in between your thumb and index finger. Now place the crushed leaves in your mouth and chew the leaves till all the flavored juice trickles in your mouth. Let the juice linger in your mouth before you gulp it with the crushed herbs. You will get an icy cold feel in your mouth and throat and the stench will have vanished.

Sugar
Sugar is a natural absorbent of bad breath from your mouth. If you were not aware of this, then take a heaped teaspoon of sugar and let it linger in your mouth. You might be tempted to swallow it but don't do that. Hold the sugar granules in your mouth till they naturally dissolve. I know it will make your mouth too sweet but that is much better than smelling like onions.

Fruits
One common technique to get rid of onion breath is to drink fresh fruit juices with naturally strong flavors such as pineapples, apples, oranges, lemon, etc. Alternately, chew a slice of these fruits and the onion breath will go away just as it came.

Mustard Sauce
Mustard sauce is readily available at homes and in restaurants. All you need is two teaspoons of mustard sauce. Now eat one teaspoonful of sauce and let it linger in your mouth for a few minutes. Swallow it and eat a second teaspoonful. This time, you can gulp it down directly. Mustard is considered the best way to get rid of onion breaths from your mouth as well as from your wind pipe.

Spices
Spices like fennel seeds, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon are some of the all time favorite herbal solutions to get rid of the onion stench. All you need to do is carry any one of these spices or all of them in small quantity in your pocket when you go out for a date. You can either eat them whole or in powdered form.

Vegetables
Fresh vegetables like carrots, mushrooms and boiled potatoes have a natural capacity to suck bad breath from your mouth. When eating onion and garlic flavored meal and follow it up by eating some carrots or mashed potatoes. This method is so effective, that it will be a feel good factor for you as well.

Toothpaste and Mouthwash
Use some strong flavored toothpaste and brush your teeth well. Use a flavored mouthwash and gargle at least 5 times to get rid of the onion stench. This not only freshens up your mouth but it is also a mandatory requirement of post dinner dental hygiene.

Vodka
If you are not planning to be in driver's seat after your dinner, then one easy way is to consume some vodka. Unlike other hard drinks, vodka does not have any aftertaste. It is also effective in freshening your mouth.

Beverages and Dairy Products
Beverages like fruit flavored tea and coffee are extremely useful in getting rid of onion breath. However, do not overdo with consumption of coffee lest you get rid of the onion stench and start smelling like a coffee jar. Some dairy products like plain or flavored yogurt and ice creams make excellent after dinner desserts and help you to get rid of bad breath from your mouth.

Dark Chocolate
It is said that consuming a couple of dark chocolate pieces can do wonders when you are trying to get rid of that post dinner onion breath from your mouth. You may opt for the sweeter version of chocolate too, but it is much more healthier and effective to eat some dark chocolate.

I am sure that you will find these methods really easy as most of these products are easily available at home or in a supermarket around the corner. Before I leave, I wish to suggest that you wash your hands with a fragrant soap and splash some perfume all over your clothing. That will make you completely free from smell of onions and garlic. And now I guarantee that your date will end perfectly!

 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-onion-breath.html

The Science of Halitosis and bacteria in your mouth

SCIENCE OF HALITOSIS,BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH,halitosis,Bad Breath

Halitosis, also more commonly known as bad breath, is caused by anaerobic producing bacteria which normally live WITHIN the of the tongue and in the throat. These bacteria are supposed to be there because they assist with digestion by breaking down proteins found in specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or "broken-down" oral tissue. Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. Proteins are made up of amino acids, two of which (Cysteine and Methionine) are dense with sulfur.
When the "beneficial" bacteria come into contact with these amino acids, the halitosis and "lousy-tasting" sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat. These halitosis compounds are often scientifically referred to as Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC's), where volatile means vaporous and effervescent.
Because my original degree is in Bacteriology, let me explain a very important fact about these "bugs". First of all they are not infectious. Everyone in the world has the same group of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot "catch" halitosis from someone, even through kissing. Since they are part of our normal oral flora, you cannot permanently remove them from your mouth either, not by tongue scraping, not with antibiotics, and not by using rinses which claim to "lift the bacteria off your tongue". The only scientifically proven and clinically effective method of halting halitosis is by attacking the bacteria's ability to produce VSC's, and by converting the VSC's into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts.
Speaking about bacteria, there is one other fact that you must understand about them. They are classified as "anaerobic" which literally means "without oxygen". They thrive in an environment where oxygen is NOT present. That is why they do not live on the surface of your tongue. Instead, they live in between the papillae (fibers) that make up your tongue.
These sulfur compounds are actually by-products of anaerobic bacteria. Everyone needs these bacteria because they assist the digestion process. Unfortunately as of yet for some undetermined reason, these particular bacteria are found in higher numbers in those plagued by halitosis. There are various theories that attribute the cause of halitosis to hormonal changes, a history of taking medications (usually antibiotics or sulfa drugs because they create an imbalance of oral bacteria), or even due to genetics (halitosis disorders appear to run in some families). It is known however, that halitosis seems to be evenly split between men and women.

THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH HALITOSIS BECOMES WORSE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH HALITOSIS gets worse

 halitosis condition,halitosis gets worse

There are certain conditions that exasperate a halitosis problem such as dry mouth, post nasal drip, the sinuses, and eating high protein foods.                                        
Dry Mouth and Halitosis
Although some cases of dry mouth are naturally occurring, most cases are caused by one of the following factors: prescription medications (usually prescribed for high blood pressure or depression), antihistamines, and adult beverages that contain alcohol.
When your mouth is dryer you have less saliva. Saliva naturally contains oxygen, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh. The bacteria that cause halitosis are anaerobic, which again simply means that they will thrive and make more sulfur in the presence of little or no oxygen. Thus if you have less saliva, you have less oxygen, thereby creating an anaerobic environment, perfect for the bacteria to produce halitosis and sour/bitter tasting compounds.
Post Nasal Drip and Halitosis
Post nasal drip is a condition where mucous drains and coats the back of the tongue and throat. These locations of the oral environment are exactly where bacteria live. We have learned that proteins contain amino acids, which in turn contain halitosis producing sulfur compounds. Since mucous is made up of interlinked strands of protein, with the condition of post nasal drip, the bacteria has a field day breaking down the proteins into halitosis and sour tasting sulfur type compounds. Strong antihistamines will not provide any help because of their drying effect.
The Sinuses and Halitosis
After personally treating nearly 9,000 people worldwide, I have yet to see a patient get rid of halitosis following sinus surgery. First of all, these anaerobic bacteria cannot live in the sinuses. When someone has a sinus infection, one of the common symptoms are intense sinus headaches caused by the pressure from the infection in the sinus. If you don't have these powerful headaches, you probably don't have a sinus problem. The fact is that once someone has an elevated amount of these anaerobic bacteria, they will create a halitosis problem from any protein source, including mucous, phlegm, etc. which drain down the back of your throat into the area where these bacteria live.
High Protein Foods and Halitosis
Those halitosis causing bacteria love proteins, and certain foods are packed with them such as dairy foods, fish, and even coffee.
Milk and cheese and most other dairy products are high in protein. A special note if you are lactose intolerant...I recommend you not eat or drink these products! Since your system cannot digest them properly, they are available to the bacteria for an extended period of time. A research article from the Los Angeles Times (November 1996) on lactose intolerance revealed that nearly 67% of all Americans can be classified as "lactose intolerant". This is due to the fact that in a diverse population such as we have here, there is a predilection for Asians, Hispanics, and African-Americans to be lactose intolerant.
Fish is high in protein as well. As many people tend to eat a high fish diet, logically, they make a halitosis problem worse.
Coffee, with or even without caffeine, contains high levels of acids which cause the bacteria that creates halitosis to reproduce more rapidly and create a bitter taste for many people. Virtually any acidic type of food will do this.

Bad Breath : causes and solutions

Discover How To Prevent And Eliminate Bad Breath

Millions of people suffer with embarrassing bad breath. The good news is that with proper understanding and proper dental care bad breath can be virtually eliminated! Bad breath (halitosis) usually originates from one of two sources: (1) certain foods we eat or (2) bacteria in our mouths that feed on left over food particles.
We eat a meal and then suffer with embarrassing bad breath later. The culprits - certain foods like garlic and cabbage, which contain sulfur compounds. When liberated these sulfur compounds cause breath to smell bad.
This liberation of sulfur compounds occurs as foods are digested. The sulfur compounds are absorbed from the digestive system into the bloodstream and carried to the lungs. Here they are eliminated by the lungs in the air that we exhale giving us bad breath!
How can you get rid of this type of bad breath? One option is to avoid the foods that cause bad breath such as cabbage and onions.
Alternatively, you can use one of several new products on the market, which attack and neutralize the sulfur compounds while they are in the blood.

Bacteria - The Cause Of Persistent Bad Breath

While certain foods cause temporary bad breath, persistent bad breath is almost always caused by bacteria, which live in our mouths. Did you know that over 170 different types of bacteria call your mouth home?
Bacteria feed on bits of food left on teeth after meals. Ungrateful guests, these bacteria create volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) as a result of their feasting. These volatile sulfur compounds give breath its foul odor.
Oxygen is fatal to many of these bacteria. To escape, these bacteria hide in places where oxygen cannot reach - under plaque and food debris, in the spaces between the teeth and gums, and in the deep crevices of the tongue.

Proper dental hygiene is crucial to eliminating bad breath.

Brushing and flossing:

1. Remove much of the bacteria in the mouth so they cannot produce volatile sulfur compounds
2. Remove the layer of plaque, food debris, and dead cells, which protect bacteria from oxygen
3. Remove the leftover microscopic food particles which bacteria use to create odorous sulfur particles

How Can You Tell If You Have Bad Breath?

Its almost impossible for you to tell if your breath smells. Your body becomes accustomed to its own odors. Furthermore, a large amount of foul breath is created at the back of the mouth and is expelled outward only as we are talk. Consequently, cupping your hands to your nose to smell exhaled air or licking and then smelling your wrist do not work.
How can you tell if your breath offends? Many dentists measure breath odor using an instrument called a halimeter. The patient blows into a straw-like tube connected to the halimeter and the machine detects the levels of volatile sulfur compounds in the breath. The more volatile sulfur compounds present the worse the bad breath.
The next best way to detect bad breath is to simply ask a trusted friend or loved one if your breath offends.

The Tongue - Safe Haven For Bacteria

The finding that odor-causing bacteria reside on the tongue represents a major advancement in the treatment of bad breath. In fact, as much as 50% of the bacteria within the mouth can be found here! The tongue is a lush velvet carpet in which bacteria can escape the wrath of the toothbrush and dental floss. In many countries it has been a long-standing practice to use a device called a tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper) to gently clean the tongue but the importance of this procedure is just being felt here in the United States.
During each tooth brushing use one of several commercially available tongue cleaners to clean your tongue free of bacteria. What you will scrape off is a whitish layer of bacteria, plaque, and food debris. This simple procedure can greatly improve the condition of your breath.

Saliva - Nature's Mouthwash

When battling bad breath saliva is our friend. A dry mouth creates the perfect environment for odor causing bacteria. Saliva serves as nature's mouthwash by keeping the mouth moist, washing away bacteria, and dissolving foul smelling volatile sulfur compounds.
Conditions that reduce saliva flow or which dry our mouths can therefore lead to bad breath. Morning breath, for example, results from reduced saliva flow that occurs as we sleep.
Dieting, fasting, or talking for long periods of time reduce saliva flow and contribute to bad breath. Certain medications, alcohol consumption, and breathing through the nose during exercise also dry the mouth contributing to the problem. How do you make sure your saliva flow is sufficient and that your mouth stays moist? Saliva flow increases when we eat or drink. If you are dieting, fasting, or talking for long periods drink water to stimulate saliva flow and moisten your mouth. The water will also wash away food and bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
Did you know that most breath mints work not by masking odor but by stimulating saliva flow ? Placing a drop of lemon juice on the tip of your tongue or chewing sugarless gum also stimulates saliva flow.

The Truth About Over The Counter Mouthwashes

People often combat chronic bad breath using mouthwash as their weapon of choice. Ironically, commercial mouthwashes are almost useless in eliminating chronic bad breath.
Recent studies have shown that mouthwashes only temporarily mask the odor of bad breath for as little as 10 minutes after brushing. In fact, because they contain alcohol, mouthwashes can actually make the situation worse by drying out the mouth creating a more hospitable environment for odor causing bacteria. A new breed of mouthwashes, however, containing chlorine dioxide are very effective at combating bad breath. These mouthwashes do not mask bad breath odor like conventional mouth washes.
Instead, the chlorine dioxide in these rinses directly attacks the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.

Postnasal Drip

Did you know the nose could contribute to bad breath? Thick nasal discharge resulting from colds, allergies, hormonal changes, medications, or pregnancy, can drip down the back of the throat and collect on the back of the tongue. Here this layer of nasal mucus discharge provides a protective blanket under which bacteria hide. Worse yet, the bacteria can break down proteins in the mucus to create volatile sulfur particles.
Using an over the counter nasal spray is one way to help thin out postnasal discharge making it less likely to collect on the back of the tongue. Drinking water may also help make mucus less viscous and therefore less likely to collect on the back of the tongue.

Periodontal Disease - A Treatable Cause Of Bad Breath

If you:

1. Stay away from certain foods that are known to cause bad breath,
2. Remove bacteria and food particles by brushing your teeth and flossing,
3. Remove bacteria from your tongue with a tongue cleaner,
4. Make sure that your mouth does not become too dry by drinking water and maintaining saliva flow, and still have bad breath, you may want to see your dentist. This is because anaerobic bacteria in your mouth may have found special hiding places. Normally there is a small 1-3 millimeter space between your gums and teeth. This is known as the periodontal pocket or pocket for short.

When pockets become 5mm in size or larger they create deeper and more secluded hiding places bacteria. Enlarged periodontal pockets are difficult to keep clean and the bacteria within them create a continuous supply of volatile sulfur compounds. What creates these widened pockets which harbor bacteria? Usually enlarged pockets are created by periodontal disease. If you have persistent bad breath see your dentist. He or she will be able to detect enlarged periodontal pockets in a routine gum exam and can also determine if you have periodontal disease. If you do have periodontal disease, your dentist can help you treat it and consequently eliminate bad breath associated with it.
Other symptoms associated with periodontal disease include:

• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Tender gums
• Loosening and shifting teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Pain when you chew

As you can see, bad breath can be eliminated. No longer do you or your loved ones have to fear embarrassment from foul mouth odor!

Halitosis(Bad Breath):sources,detection,treatments

Halitosis source,detection halitosis,halitosis problems,bad breath

Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Sources

Studies have shown that about 85% of patients suffering from halitosis have an oral condition as the source. If a person has healthy teeth and gums (i.e. no cavities, periodontitis, or abscesses), the next most common source of oral malodor is the tongue. Bacteria which produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) have been found to congregate on the tongue, especially the posterior one third. Saliva from nearby glands drips down on the posterior region of the tongue, which is full of irregularities where bacteria love to hide. The anaerobic bacteria (bacteria which thrive without oxygen) break down specific components (amino acids) of the saliva, creating certain gases or VSCs. These VSCs have been implicated as a major contributing factor to
halitosis. Other contributing oral factors include inflammatory conditions, oral cancer, oral candidiasis, and xerostomia (dry mouth).

While the oral cavity is by far the most common source of bad breath, systemic conditions can also be responsible for this condition. Nasal and sinus problems, including foreign bodies inserted in the nose and neglected for a period of time, can be a cause. Repetitive tonsillar infections, infections of the oropharynx, pulmonary diseases (such as bronchitis and pneumonia), and gastrointestinal problems are all possible contributing factors. Certain systemic diseases produce particular odors. A few of these relationships include liver failure producing a rotten egg smell, diabetes producing a sweet smell, intestinal dysfunction producing heavy sour breath, and scarlet or typhoid fever producing a musty smell.

Detection

While most of the population has transient halitosis, chronic malodor is less common. Regardless of the type of halitosis, proper diagnosis is important. The difficulty in determining whether an individual has halitosis and its possible cause(s) arises because there are no convenient methods to measure this condition. Some self-monitoring tests and in-office tests are available to aid in the diagnosis, although they are either awkward or still need research to ensure their viability.

Self-monitoring tests generally involve obtaining feedback from a spouse or friend (an odor judge). Individuals may have difficulty detecting halitosis themselves because the brain has the ability to suppress odors stemming from ourselves. While procuring an odor judge may be embarrassing, it is the best method for at-home breath testing. If the odor judge does not wish to smell the patient's breath directly, the patient can scrape the posterior region of the tongue with a spoon or place saliva on the wrist by licking it. The spoon or wrist can then be smelled and assessed by the odor judge. The spoon test is better in case the saliva is not a good carrier of the potential odorant. There is also a home microbial test which is comprised of cotton-tipped applicators and test tubes containing a specific medium. After the applicators are placed on the tongue, they are inserted in the test tubes. If the color in the test tube changes within a certain time period, this is an indication that you have chronic bad breath.

In-office testing can include odor judge testing, microbial and fungal testing, the salivary incubation test, volatile sulfur detection testing, and, in the future, artificial noses. Among other problems, the current tests lack specificity, i.e. it is difficult to determine either the existence or the cause of chronic halitosis. The most recent machine on the market for detecting halitosis, a portable sulfide monitor, also has its proponents and critics. The machine is designed to measure sulfur content in the breath, but it can be inaccurate. At this point, the machine is better for monitoring a patient's progress than in obtaining an initial diagnosis. Most dental offices do not have the capability yet to perform these tests.

Treatments

One of the easiest and most efficient treatments for halitosis is mechanical debridement. This means thorough, regular flossing and brushing of your teeth and your tongue. A tongue scraper can be very helpful as well. When using a tongue scraper, it is best to clean as far back on the tongue as possible, starting from the back and moving toward the front. This scraping motion is done several times in row. Other management tools include antibiotics, nasal mucous control methods, avoidance of certain foods and medications, salivary substitutes, and management of systemic diseases. One of the most potentially promising and lucrative areas of bad breath control is the development of various oral rinses.

Effective oral rinses must eliminate the problematic bacteria while maintaining the balance of normal bacteria in the oral environment. The assorted types of rinses being developed and marketed contain quaternary ammonium, zinc, chlorhexidine (already in use to help treat periodontitis), chlorine dioxide, or triclosan. Chlorhexidine and chlorine dioxide rinses have received the most press lately. Because chlorhexidine is such a strong antimicrobial rinse, it is advised to only use this type of rinse as a short-term adjunct for treatment. At present, chlorine dioxide can be used on a long-term basis, although some researchers do question its safety. In lab experiments, chlorine dioxide has been shown to be effective by breaking the sulfide bonds in VSCs, but this finding has not yet been substantiated using live subjects.

Currently, many of these rinses provide limited effectiveness in the treatment of chronic halitosis. Regular dental care and proper oral hygiene including tongue cleaning are the most effective. The detection and treatment of halitosis is a relatively new aspect of dentistry. The future is sure to bring better diagnostic techniques and treatments.

What causes a halitosis condition?

Medical causes of halitosis,Dental causes of Halitosis,halitosis's causes

There are a number of possible causes of halitosis. Below we have listed some possible causes and have separated them into medical and dental causes.Medical

1.   Sinus infections & abnormal sinus anatomies 2.   Tonsilar infections or tonsiloliths 3.   Lung diseases 4.   Kidney diseases 5.   Liver diseases 6.   Blood disorders 7.   Diabetes 8.   Gallbladder dysfunction 9.   Menstruation 10. Carcinomas 11. Certain foods

Dental
 

1. Extensive dental decay 2. Periodontal (gum) disease 3. Oral infections or abscesses 4. Oral cancers 5. Xerostomia (dry mouth condition). Many medications can contribute to a condition of xerostomia. 6. Oral conditions resulting from post-nasal drips or discharges 7. Allergy conditions 8. A proliferation of specific types of gram negative anaerobic bacteria.

90% of breath problems are caused
from a proliferation of specific types of gram negative anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. This has also been supported by extensive research in the field of halitosis. This proliferation is often a result of conditions such as allergies, sinus congestion or post-nasal drips, nasal polyps, and xerostomia which is a dry mouth condition. A common area where the bacteria congregates can actually be on the tongue itself. Because we rarely find halitosis resulting from a medical condition, we suggest that the first approach in eliminating the problem should be an oral approach. This approach is more economical, noninvasive, and it has a higher probability of success. We do recommend that all patients maintain their dental health by seeing their dentist regularly. Should a halitosis condition persist, despite the simple and noninvasive oral treatments that we offer, then we suggest that those patients should see their physician. Usually from the differential diagnosis that we perform at the first appointment, we can determine whether a halitosis problem is of a medical or dental origin.

What is halitosis?

What is halitosis,halitosis,bad breath,What is bad breath,Chronic halitosis,halitosis sufferers

 

 Chronic halitosis is a condition in which a person produces an offensive odor from their oral or nasal regions and they’re unable to eliminate it through normal oral hygiene techniques, such as flossing or brushing. The occasional “morning breath” most people experience at one time or another is not really true halitosis. Halitosis knows no boundaries when it comes to age, sex, race, or socioeconomic levels. Furthermore, it can be truly demoralizing, and it negatively impacts the lives of as many as 50-80 million individuals in the United States alone. Because it’s such an embarrassing problem we have found that many patients are reluctant to even mention their problem to either their physician or dentist. Another unfortunate fact is that most halitosis sufferers have no idea that they
have a breath problem unless somebody directly informs them. People suffering from halitosis have been known to become withdrawn and avoid social situations. There unfortunately have even been documented cases of suicide stemming from a halitosis problem.