Dentistry professor Edwin Winkel wants to break the taboo on bad breath (halitosis). According to him, treating halitosis is often child’s play and there is no need for people to be ashamed of their bad breath. In most cases the problem is in the mouth itself. Halitosis has far-reaching consequences, but with the right treatment and tips you can combat bad breath. In Groningen, halitosis education is part of dentistry and various hospitals and dentists hold halitosis consultation hours.
Professor of dentistry Edwin Winkel and halitosis education in Groningen
Edwin Winkel is a professor of dentistry with a specialty in halitosis (bad breath). He states that about 90% of people with halitosis can be treated effectively. Yet many people and even practitioners believe that the cause of halitosis can be found in the stomach. When patients subsequently end up in the UMCG, they have already undergone many unnecessary examinations and therapies.
Bad breath
We all suffer from bad breath from time to time. Early in the morning when you get up, for example, by eating garlic, by eating certain (spicy) dishes or after consuming delicious but strong-smelling cheeses. Alcohol and some medications also affect your breath, and this certainly applies to smoking. After eating or drinking something or brushing your teeth, this (temporary) halitosis is over.
Source: Zivia, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Causes and consequences of halitosis
Halitosis (bad breath) is due to “a cause in the mouth” in 90% of cases. For example, inflammation of the gums, inflammation of the oral mucosa or deposits on the tongue. These are all issues that are easy to solve. With good hygiene and tackling the problem, bad breath is a thing of the past in most cases. Yet many people continue to suffer from their condition out of shame. There is also a taboo on bad breath and the environment will not easily tell that someone has malodorous breath. The fact that there is even a consultation hour for people with halitosis (hospitals and some dentists) is often unknown and if it is already known, people will not easily point it out to others.
Other reasons for bad breath
- an inflammation of the nose or nasal polyps
- a disease of the tonsils
- following a strict diet
- diabetes
Other causes for halitosis have to do with disorders of the respiratory or digestive systems. In that case, the bad breath is secondary to the other problems. The following causes of bad breath can also occur, but are rare:
- a bulge in the esophageal wall, where food remains can remain and rot (Zenker diverticulum)
- the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach closes poorly (for example due to a hiatal hernia)
Source: Niro5, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
What you can do yourself to tackle halitosis
- brush well
- use a tongue scraper and dental floss
- Drink a glass of water immediately after getting up in the morning
- avoid eating garlic, onions and certain herbs/spices; they can cause or worsen bad breath
- stop smoking
- be careful with alcohol
- eat healthy and varied
- drink at least one and a half liters of fluid per day; this promotes good bowel movements
- Take (sugar-free) sweets or chewing gum for fresh breath or use a mouth spray if necessary
- visit the halitosis consultation at the dentist or hospital
- have your mouth checked for inflammation; If the cause is not in the oral cavity itself, you can be referred to a specialist
Additional tips
- chew a coffee bean
- After brushing, massage the gums with a slice of lemon
- gargle with an infusion of sage
- rinse with mouthwash
Mouthwash
Dissolve 20 grams of citric acid in ΒΌ liter of water. Rinse your mouth with this mixture after meals.
Bad breath has far-reaching consequences
Someone with bad breath will notice this from the reaction of those around them, causing them to feel uncomfortable or to talk with their hand over their mouth. The environment avoids the halitosis patient. It is not uncommon for someone with bad breath to lose their social contacts or even be fired. If nothing is done about it, divorce is on the horizon.
You cannot smell whether your mouth stinks, but your surroundings can do the better. Address the problem, there is really no need to keep dealing with this. “People should dare to speak to each other easily and tell them that there is a consultation hour for this,” says Edwin Winkel.
