Anatom3D
ENCZDE
Download

Bad breath (halitosis)

Halitosis (foetor ex ore) · Zápach z úst (halitóza)

What it is

Persistent bad breath, nearly always from bacteria on the back of the tongue and in gum pockets; only rarely from the stomach or elsewhere.

Symptoms & signs

  • Unpleasant breath noticed by others
  • coated tongue
  • bad taste
  • dry mouth
  • white stones in the tonsils

🚩 Get help if…

  • see a doctor soon Bleeding, swollen gums or loose teeth
  • see a doctor soon A mouth sore or lump lasting over 3 weeks
  • see a doctor soon Bad breath with weight loss, cough or trouble swallowing
  • see a doctor soon Sweet or fruity breath with thirst — test for diabetes

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Dental check for gum disease and decay
  • tongue cleaning
  • zinc or chlorhexidine mouthwash
  • treat dry mouth, sinusitis or tonsil stones

Natural & lifestyle

  • Brush and floss twice a day, scrape the tongue
  • drink water, chew sugar-free gum
  • less alcohol, no smoking

Emerging & experimental

  • Probiotic lozenges (Streptococcus salivarius K12)
  • photodynamic tongue therapy

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Probiotics (S. salivarius K12) — small trials reduce odour early / small studies
  • Green tea — polyphenols cut odour in small studies early / small studies
  • Parsley, mint and fennel seeds — mask odour; do not treat the cause anecdotal / traditional
  • Oil pulling with coconut oil — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes