Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is an embarrassing health condition that affects approximately 30% of people around the world. Additional medical terms for this condition include stomatodysodia, fetor oris, and ozostomia. Regardless of the term used, this is the presence of a foul-smelling odour that seems to come from the mouth cavity. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, in more than 90% of cases, the odour originates in the mouth, throat, and tonsils. Apart from the sulphur-producing bacteria that colonise the back of the tongue, the other major causes of halitosis are:
Dental factors – such as periodontitis (infection around the teeth) or poor oral hygiene
Dry mouth – caused by medicines, alcohol, stress or a medical condition
Smoking – which starves the mouth of oxygen