The first step that we are going to take before entering fully into the meaning of halitosis is to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can emphasize that it is a word that derives from Latin and Greek. And it is the result of the sum of these two components:
-The Latin noun "halitus", which can be translated as "breath" or "exhalation" and derived from the verb "halare", which is synonymous with "exhale".
-The suffix “-osis”, which is used to indicate processes.
The Halitosis is bad breath: that is, the breath fetid, unpleasant odor. It is a disorder that affects many people and is usually linked to the presence of bacteria.
To understand what halitosis is, we must first be clear about the concept of breath or breath. This is what the air that is expelled through the mouth is called. It is important to bear in mind that, during respiration, the body incorporates oxygen and emits carbon dioxide: the air that is exhaled through the mouth is the breath.
Your breath usually does not have a noticeable odor. However, in some cases, it acquires a stench that can be easily perceived. This nauseating breath characterizes the clinical sign called halitosis.
Who suffers from halitosis, therefore, has bad smelling breath. The cause of this smell is usually due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth, although it can also be linked to diseases such as gastritis or lung cancer.
One of the most common causes of halitosis is poor oral hygiene. When food remains in the mouth, bacteria appear that break it down and produce various odorous components, such as different fatty acids.
However, the existence of other causes that can lead to halitosis should not be overlooked either. We are referring to the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, having bacterial plaque in the mouth, the intake of certain medications, eating foods that have a strong smell such as garlic or onion, suffering from kidney diseases or even liver…
To avoid or treat halitosis, therefore, it is important to take care of oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth after every meal, using mouthwashes with antiseptics, and flossing or flossing are essential actions. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water to increase saliva production and avoid coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and foods with strong odors.
In the same way, other measures to combat halitosis are to periodically go to the dentist to perform a dental cleaning or to carry out a proper cleaning of the tongue.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that there are also homemade tricks to combat that problem of bad smell from the mouth. We are referring to some such as rinsing your mouth with lemon juice in the morning, biting into parsley, having a glass of apple cider vinegar before going to bed or brushing your teeth in the morning with baking soda.