Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is a problem that affects a quarter of the world’s population at some point in their lives and is equally prevalent in both sexes. It is a serious problem for the person who suffers from it, as it affects both his or her social and working life.
In turn, halitosis consumes a large amount of resources when looking for possible solutions or treatments, especially in women, who face this problem with a higher degree of concern than men.
It can be stated that more than 80% of cases have their origin in the oral cavity, and are due to the gradual decomposition of detritus by the microbial flora. In this way, sulfur compounds are released, which are the main cause of bad odor.
There is not much to say about the treatment of halitosis, it is enough to maintain an excellent oral hygiene with regular visits to the dentist, as well as proper hydration and a healthy and balanced diet. When maintaining oral hygiene, vigorous brushing should be carried out on both the gums and the tongue, especially on the posterior third of the tongue.
Causes of halitosis
There are several causes that can cause or be responsible for bad odor. The most common are the following:
- Presence of bacteria lodged at the base of the tongue, being the most frequent cause.
- Periodontitis or gum disease
- Dental plaque
- Dryness in the mouth or xerostomia
When it comes to pointing out the remaining causes of bad breath, it should be noted that less than 0.5% is caused by gastrointestinal problems, 5% is caused by metabolic disorders of a general nature, such as renal or hepatic insufficiency, diabetes… The rest, 10%, are attributed to causes in the otorhinolaryngological sphere and in the respiratory tract.
Tonsils causing bad breath. Possible treatments
Traditionally, about 3% of cases of halitosis have been attributed to the palatine tonsils. The palatine tonsils are composed of lymphoid tissue and epithelium, and their main function is to provide an immune response to the appearance of germs and particles that come into contact with the surface.
They have a structure with crypts and tunnels that are related in which the immune response occurs, but in which also accumulate bacteria, detritus and food debris that favor bacterial growth that generates bad odor. The clearest example is cryptic tonsillitis, which produces retention generating stones known as tonsilloliths.
Differentiating whether the cause of bad odor is caused by the tonsils is very difficult, and although there are tests that can guide the specialist, they are not definitive.
There is a form of examination in which the tonsils are squeezed and the patient or family member is asked to smell the material and asked if it reminds them of the smell of the patient’s breath.
To manage this problem, medical treatment with irrigations, rinses or taking antibiotics is very limited.
Surgical treatment is more effective, with tonsillectomy as the treatment with the best results. However, it requires general anesthesia, has a complicated postoperative period and has complications such as bleeding.
There are novel alternatives with a good success rate:
- Coablation tonsillotomy
- Laser tonsillotomy
- Laser cryptolysis
- Radiofrequency cryptolysis
Radiofrequency cryptolysis is a treatment that to date has shown promising results, and because of its speed and simplicity it may become the first choice in the future. For more information on halitosis or bad breath, consult a specialist in Otolaryngology.