bad breath clinic
Bad breath that continues for a long period of time is often referred to as chronic halitosis. It is a condition that has been around for a very long time, but it is only in the last century we have begun to May much attention, and only in the last decade we've made some real progress in finding ways to deal with the problem. In essence, it is considered as a matter of personal hygiene, rather than a health problem, and health professionals, therefore, not have dealt with him.
Perceptions of chronic halitosis have changed. A few health professionals – dentists, dental hygienists, physicians and microbiologists – Realized that bad breath is a problem facing a lot of people, and often is caused by factors beyond the control of the individual. The need for a specialized area of research and treatment soon led to the development of the first clinic of halitosis. These clinics draw in people who have suffered bad breath and fruitlessly sought a solution, giving specialists a patient population to help them learn more about the condition and how it can managed.
The halitosis clinic may be the driving force of its own demise: experience has provided a wealth of knowledge about how cure chronic bad breath and many sufferers can now benefit from this acquired knowledge without having to attend a clinic. New products are on the market and the oral hygiene regimens that work have been identified. Since the great majority of cases of halitosis are due to the same thing (the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth), most cases can now be treated or self-directed in the dental office. The remaining cases associated with underlying disease are probably under the management of other specialties.
So what have we learned from the halitosis clinic? Most cases of bad breath long term are caused by a change in the bacterial population in the mouths of anaerobic species that produce sulfur compounds. As for how to cure chronic halitosis, which begins with good oral hygiene, including regular cleaning of the tongue, and includes cleaning the mouth with a mouthwash that kills or eliminate many of the unwanted bacteria and restore the bacterial population to a normal balance. For some people, in fact, can be a cure, to maintain the bacterial balance itself after a period of treatment from months to years. For many, the treatment regimen will be a lifelong commitment.
R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Chronic Halitosis, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.