Sign or Symptom
halitosis
hal·i·to·sis [ hal-i-toh-sis ]
Subclass of:
Signs and Symptoms, Digestive
Etymology:
Latin halitus = breath + -osis = condition
Also called:
Fetor Oris; Oral Malodor
Definitions related to halitosis:
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An offensive, foul breath odor resulting from a variety of causes such as poor oral hygiene, dental or oral infections, or the ingestion of certain foods.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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(bad breath) There are many reasons why you might have bad breath. You can get it if you don't brush and floss regularly. Bacteria that build up in your mouth and between your teeth produce the bad odor. Other problems in your mouth, such as gum disease, dry mouth, or cavities, may also cause it. Sinusitis or problems with your nose may be to blame. You can also have bad breath if you eat some foods, like raw onions, garlic, or cabbage. And of course smoking causes its own bad smell. Some diseases and medicines can cause a specific breath odor. Having good dental habits, like brushing and flossing regularly, help fight bad breath. Mouthwashes, mints or chewing gum may make your breath fresher. If you have a disease that causes the bad breath, treating the disease may help give you fresher breath.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Halitosis is a frequent or persistent unpleasant breath odor. Halitosis most often results from fermentation of food particles by anaerobic gram-negative bacteria in the mouth, producing volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. Causative bacteria may be present in areas of periodontal disease, particularly...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Halitosis can be an important social problem in which the standard dental treatments and mouthwashes that are often recommended provide only temporary relief. Oral malodor is primarily the result of microbial metabolism.WebMD, 2019
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Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It's no wonder that store shelves are overflowing with gum, mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to fight bad breath. But many of these products are only temporary measures because they don't address the cause of the problem.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Halitosis is a general term used to describe any disagreeable odor of expired air from the mouth. Mild transient halitosis is usually caused by release of volatile odorous compounds from bacteria colonizing oral surfaces. A more persistent form of halitosis is associated with certain oral, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disease that...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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