Causes – Diagnosis – Treatment
1. Causes
It is now scientifically proven that the cause of bad breath (halitosis) is found in the oral cavity in approximately 90% of the cases. Second place (less than 10%) is the ear-nose and throat area as a cause for bad breath, and very rarely (less than 1%) bad breath has something to do with the stomach.
Our oral cavity is a complex ecosystem, in which many different bacteria live in a healthy balance. There are, however, special bacteria that live in oxygen-poor niches, such as the surface of the tongue.
These “anaerobic” bacteria thrive without oxygen and can reproduce undisturbed in these niches. They feed mainly on dead mucous cells, food residues, and components of saliva and blood. Like all bacteria, these mollusks also have a metabolism, the end products of which are mainly volatile sulfur compounds (VSC = volatile sulfur compounds). If volatile sulfur compounds are present in sufficient amounts, perceptible mouth odor is produced.
Factors that can cause bad breath:
• Mouth dryness
• Mouth breathing
• Smoking
• Snoring
• Fasting / dieting
• Medicines that reduce the salivary flow rate
• Stress
CONCLUSION
- the end product of the metabolism of odor-producing bacteria in the oral cavity are mainly volatile sulfur compounds, which we perceive as bad breath
- the purpose of the specialized bad breath consultation is therefore to find the areas where the odor causing bacteria hide
2. DIAGNOSIS
Since we adapt to our own odors, we cannot smell our own mouth odor. Asking a trusted friend can provide clarity if the person is willing to give an honest answer (which is unlikely).
Therefore the diagnosis by a specialist for bad breath is the safest way to find out if you have bad breath and how strong it is.
In our office, the diagnosis of bad breath is based on four elements:
1. a very detailed questionnaire, which is completed before the patient’s examination (best at home in peace-of-mind) and provides important information to the practitioner
2. a thorough examination of the entire mouth and throat area, not in the usual sense, but more with regard to niches in which accumulations of odor-producing bacteria are to be found
3. an organoleptic assessment, a measurement method based solely on the trained nose of the practitioner
4. measurement of the breath with a modern analyzer, the Halimeter®, which measures the concentrations of the volatile sulfur compounds and thus provides objective, reproducible data on the strength of the mouth odor
CONCLUSION
• diagnosis via a questionnaire
• oral examination
• organoleptic examination
• Halimeter® measurement
3. THERAPY
The treatment of bad breath is strictly causative and therefore has a high success rate. For example, if the tongue coating (the most frequent niche for odor-forming bacteria) is determined to be the cause of bad breath, a targeted elimination of the bacteria on the tongue’s surface has to take place (tongue cleaning).
If gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or even a periodontitis (gum disease) is the cause of the bad breath, an individualized therapy will be recommended. This will effectively and permanently eliminate the bad breath. The success of the therapy is documented with the aid of the Halimeter® measurements.
CONCLUSION
- success of the bad breath therapy is based on diagnosis and treatment of the actual causes
- the most common oral cause is the tongue coating
- documentation of treatment success with Halimeter®
We will send you an information folder with the questionnaire, the cost calculation and all the necessary information on the treatment after an appointment is made by calling: 030 – 861 56 03.
You can also contact us at info@praxis-grinfeld.de.
Send us your preferred appointment time and we will gladly get in touch with you.
Hours
Monday 9:00 – 13:00 Uhr and 14:00 – 18:00 Uhr
Tuesday 9:00 – 13:00 Uhr and 14:00 – 18:00 Uhr
Wednesday 9:00 – 13:00 Uhr and 14:00 – 17:00 Uhr
Thursday 12:00 – 15:00 Uhr and 16:00 – 19:00 Uhr
Friday 9:00 – 13:30 Uhr
Berliner Str. 37
10715 Berlin
030 – 861 56 03
info@praxis-grinfeld.de