ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Halitosis or Bad Breath

What is halitosis or bad breath?

23 January 2026

This is a disorder that causes fetid odor in the breath due to numerous causes, ranging from hygiene issues, habits, and food consumption, to various underlying medical conditions.

Halitosis, fetid breath, or bad breath generates anxiety, shame, and low self-esteem in those who suffer from it. It is common for the affected person to try to use products that only disguise the issue but do not solve the problem, such as mints and chewing gum, sprays, and mouthwashes, which are really temporary measures that do not attack the cause of the halitosis.

Generally, the causes of bad breath include:

  • Deficient oral hygiene.
  • Consumption of strong-smelling foods like garlic and onion.
  • Smoking.
  • Dental infections.
  • Periodontal disease (gum disease).
  • Xerostomia (dry mouth).
  • Ingestion of some medications.
  • Infections in the mouth, nose, and throat.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux.

There are two types of Halitosis:

Intraoral:

  • 90% of cases are of this type (originating in the mouth).

Extraoral:

  • Respiratory conditions.
  • Gastrointestinal problems.
  • Metabolic disorders.

Halitosis is a condition that some people do not pay enough attention to, as they are often not aware of having it or are not too concerned about it; while others resort to various temporary remedies to mitigate it and become frustrated when they fail to do so.

It is important that if you realize or someone tells you that you have fetid breath, you increase your oral hygiene, hydrate adequately, and avoid ingesting odorous foods or carrying out actions that contribute to its accentuation, such as smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages.

If, despite implementing these measures, you continue to present halitosis, it will be necessary to see a dentist to check your mouth. If they suspect the existence of an underlying condition as the cause, they will refer you to a medical doctor.

Diagnosis and treatment Halitosis or Bad Breath

The dentist will examine your mouth and classify the degree of fetidness of your breath according to a scale. If the odor is not very evident, they will scrape your tongue to elicit the aroma.

Sometimes, dentists have devices that detect substances causing halitosis to identify the components generating the condition.

If the dentist believes your bad breath does not originate from oral issues, they will refer you to a medical doctor who can detect the underlying disease causing it so you can receive appropriate treatment.

The recommendation to prevent or reduce bad breath is to maintain good oral hygiene, avoid consuming unpleasant-smelling foods, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and visit the dentist regularly.

In the Internal Medicine Department at Centro Médico ABC, we provide medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, including both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute cases, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Halitosis or Bad Breath

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Sources:

  • cun.es
  • aeped.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • elsevier.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Targino RPJ, Ferreira LBL, Gadelha VM, et al. Halitosis: etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Rev Cubana Estomatol. 2020;57(2):.
  • Barba L, Valerio I. Halitosis: Basic Principles About its Origin and Treatment Narrative Review. Odovtos-Int J Dent Sc. 2020;22(1):47-59.
  • Mejorada-Cabrera JA, San Martín-López AL, García-Vásquez MJ, et al. Prevalencia de halitosis oral en alumnos de nuevo ingreso de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Veracruzana en Poza Rica, Veracruz. Rev Mex Med Forense. 2019;4(Suppl:1):51-53.
  • Echavarría MBO, Ramón JR, Méndez NY. Repercusión social de la halitosis. MediSan. 2014;18(10):.

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