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Unpleasant odor from the mouth

Medical expert of the article

Surgeon, oncosurgeon
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.11.2021

Halitosis is an unpleasant odor from the mouth that is felt in the exhaled air (actually "halitosis") or regardless of the act of breathing.

Variants of halitosis:

  • bacterial halitosis;
  • ekzogennıy halitoz;
  • pseudochalitosis (psychogenic);
  • symptomatic halitosis.

Bacterial chalitosis is associated with the metabolic activity of oral bacteria. More often associated with prolonged starvation (insufficient cleansing of the tongue from the plaque), a rare and irregular intake of food (especially mild), as well as poor oral care, dry mouth of various genes.

Exogenous halitosis, as a rule, is associated with the use of certain nutrients (garlic, onions, marinades, sauces, etc.), tobacco and alcohol.

Pseudohalitosis or psychogenic halitosis is noted in patients who are convinced of the presence of a serious disease. Usually there is no bad breath. However, patients are depressed, avoid communication. Most often, this pathopsychological phenomenon is due to the consolidation in the mind of the anxious-hypochondriac personality of the notion of former and noted by the surrounding from the mouth and development of the neurosis of obsessive states. Pseudohalitosis can be the debut of neuro-like form of schizophrenia.

Symptomatic chalitosis occurs in diseases of teeth and gums, nasopharynx, esophagus, stenosis of the pylorus, intestinal obstruction, lung diseases, endotoxicosis and poisoning.


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