Brush Up on the Four Types of Halitosis

Bad breath is treatable, but one of the stumbling blocks to treatment is understanding what type of halitosis you have. It’s a common misconception that bad breath is one-dimensional, but figuring out the type of your halitosis is an important step into starting treatment.

The first and most common strain of halitosis is called physiological halitosis. This is what people normally refer to as morning breath, and is caused by the physiological processes that take place in the mouth, many of which cause bad breath. While “morning breath” can be serious, it’s usually treated very easily with basic oral hygiene, and doesn’t have a detrimental effect on the person’s life. The good news is, it’s only temporary.

The more serious strain is called pathological halitosis. Most types of pathological halitosis originate in the mouth, and come from a variety of mouth problems like gingivitis, periodontitis, dry socket, oral infection or bacterial tongue coating. Some however, come from other conditions like ulcers, tonsillitis, or sinusitis. Some forms of pathological halitosis could be signs of something more serious, such as diabetes or hepatitis.

Because this form of halitosis has a deeper, more systemic cause, it’s very difficult to treat, and often only subsides when the root cause is treated. A visit to the dentist can usually reveal any periodontic problems that could lead to bad breath. Beyond that, a physician can usually diagnose more serious problems, and, failing that, a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist might be in order.

Another strain of halitosis that is often overlooked is pseudo-halitosis. This strain is completely psychological. A person convinces him or herself that they’re suffering from halitosis, and finds it difficult to carry out a normal life. Commonly, people who once suffered from persistent physiological or pathological halitosis have difficulty convincing themselves that their condition is treatable, and so continue to face the social isolation they did when they were suffering from the condition.

When pseudo-halitosis persists, it can turn into a more debilitating condition called halitophobia. This is a fear of bad breath that exists even though there’s no evidence whatsoever of halitosis.

One of the most important steps in treating halitosis, is trying to figure out which type you’re suffering from. Armed with that knowledge, putting the pieces of the halitosis puzzle into place can be much easier.