Myth
Contrary to the widely held belief that digestive disorders can cause bad breath, recent studies have revealed that only 3% of cases of halitosis originate in the stomach.

Truth

Several hours after they are ingested, the malodour compounds contained in floods with strong flavours, such as garlic and onion, are absorbed by the intestine and travel through the blood to the lungs where they volatise (evaporate) via the alveoli. In this case it is true that bad breath can last for more than six hours.

Myth

It is very common that when a person becomes awareness that they suffer from halitosis, they decide to visit the dentist so their mouth can be checked for cavities. However, treatments for cavities produce no beneficial effect on halitosis.

Myth
Two hours after smoking a cigarette, there are no significant differences between the breath of a smoker and a non-smoker. That said, smoking is a risk factor for illnesses associated with halitosis, such as periodontal disease.

Truth

During menstruation, malodour compounds that are generated from the breakdown of the blood, are absorbed by the mucous lining of the vagina and enter the blood stream, before leaving the body in the exhaled air.

Truth
Almost 15% of patients report a worsening of their halitosis when they are under stress. This is because the role played by the nervous system in reducing saliva production, which in turn affects the production of fresh saliva and its cleansing capacity.

Myth
Aside from the fact that it is difficult to prove, to date there have been no reported cases of halitosis being “caught” from someone else.

Myth
People suffering from genuine halitosis, or halitosis detected by third parties, often do not notice it due to olfactory fatigue (they become used to the smell of their own breath).

Myth
.There is no link between the odour a person might perceive when testing in this way and the presence of genuine halitosis. A person can have bad breath and not realise it, and vice versa.

Myth
Brushing your teeth once every eight hours (provided it is done effectively and in a way that eliminates plaque bacteria) is enough to prevent unpleasant-smelling breath. If there is a manifestation of halitosis during this eight-hour period, then this would be due to an underlying condition.

Truth
Centres specialising in halitosis use tools that can identify a wide range of compounds and measure their concentration with a high degree of precision. These devices are used to obtain samples of exhaled air from the mouth or the nose, for their subsequent analysis.

Truth
Aside from the fact that no genes expressing halitosis have ever been identified, most conditions associated with it are not hereditary, although there are some exceptions, such as hay fever and diabetes.

Myth
Among the reasons put forward by healthcare professionals for not telling a patient that they suffer from bad breath is the fear of a negative reaction. They also cite not having sufficient medical knowledge to effectively address the issue.

Myth
A specialist halitosis centre that uses diagnosis technology, scientifically proven clinical protocols, and experienced healthcare professionals can treat halitosis with very high rates of success.