Causes of halitosis (bad breath)

A recent report published by the Breath Institute indicates that most patients (60%) who sought treatment at our affiliated clinics in Spain and Portugal suffer from halitosis of oral origin. Nevertheless, the numbers of cases of halitosis of this kind have gone down in recent years. Some possible explanations could be society’s increasing awareness of oral hygiene and greater access to diagnosis.

Extra-oral causes (originating in the respiratory tract, digestive tract or systemic) are behind 17% of cases diagnosed by the Breath Institute. These causes are more difficult to diagnose, and generally require more advanced technology, which is why they are easier to detect in a specialist halitosis clinic.

In the other 23% of patients requesting the services of the Breath Institute, halitosis is not diagnosed. Although in some cases genuine halitosis is detected, certain conditions, such as decreased salivary secretion, digestive problems, stress or anxiety can all create tastes in the mouth that patients perceive as odours. In such cases, patients believe they suffer from halitosis, when in reality they have normal VOC and VSC levels (pseudohalitosis). Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly common for patients to request a specialist halitosis consultation as a check-up and an opportunity to receive preventative advice. This situation is mostly due to the individual’s awareness of the possible negative impact that halitosis can have on their personal and professional lives, and can also be put down to the fact that some individuals are unaware that they suffer from halitosis.

The diseases and clinical conditions associated with the production of volatile compounds can come under a variety of medical specialities, such as stomatology; otolaryngology; gastroenterology; pneumology; internal medicine, endocrinology, nephrology, neurology and psychiatry.

Below you will see a list of some of the diseases and predisposing factors most commonly associated with halitosis: