Do you know what halitosis is? It is the medical name given to a condition many of us will suffer from at some stage: bad breath. And usually the sufferer is the last one to notice that he or she is afflicted by it.

Causes of halitosis

Bad breath can have many causes. Most commonly the cause can be linked with the nose, mouth, throat, respiratory system, or the stomach. It is normally in some way connected to an infection.

Some of the more common causes of halitosis are:

    • Rotten teeth
    • Food particles that are stuck between teeth
    • Gingivitis (infection of the gums)
    • Tonsillitis
    • Bronchitis
    • Chronic nose problems
    • Sinusitis
    • Chronic gastritis
    • Stomach cancer.

Ways to prevent halitosis

    • Brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Also brush the tongue, as it can harbour causes of bad breath
    • Floss your teeth once a day
    • Replace your toothbrush every three months
    • Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist and to help wash away harmful bacteria and food particles
    • Visit your dentist at least annually to get your teeth cleaned professionally and to have your dental health assessed
    • If you are smoking, stop
    • Be mindful of what you eat, especially when you are around other people. Some foods can cause or exacerbate bad breath.

Simple breath test

Unsure whether you have bad breath? Try this simple test.

The back or posterior section of your tongue usually represents the way your breath smells to others. To check this, use a spoon that has been turned upside down. Scrape the back section of the tongue. The material scraped off here will normally have a thick, white appearance.

Now smell it. Whatever this scraped-off material smells like, is what your breath smells like to those around you.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about bad breath.