Friday, June 19, 2015

Myths About Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath is incredibly common. Everybody has it to some degree, even if it is just in the morning when we wake up. However, for something so common, there are a lot of misconceptions about bad breath, or halitosis.

  1. Bad breath comes from the stomach. Only in rare cases does this occur. As for things like Gastric Reflux, this is yet to be scientifically proven. 
  2. Bad breath comes from the lungs. Only in rare cases does this occur. 
  3. It is hereditary. Not true. There is no genial linkage for halitosis. There are certain conditions that cause bad breath that are hereditary but bad breath itself is not. 
  4. It is contagious. Not true. 
  5. Breath mints and mouthwashes help. Temporarily, yes. But if your bad breath is caused by something like gingivitis, then it will return. 
  6. Brushing my teeth more will help. Brushing your teeth too much can actually dry out your mouth, making the bad breath issue worse. 
  7. Bad breath is caused by food. Foods like onions, garlic, etc. can create odors in our mouths that aid bad breath.
  8. Probiotics help. There is no support for this yet. 
If you are experiencing chronic halitosis, then consult a oral healthcare professional, like Dr. Rubino and see what the cause is and how it can be treated. 


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