bad breath, halitosis, self exams

Do I have bad breath (also known as halitosis) and how would I know? Many patients have asked me this question. They want to know how they could find out if they have bad breath before it is revealed to them by someone they love or work with. Even more embarrassing, is the thought that they would have offended someone with their bad breath and not known it. The problem is, we are almost never able to smell our own bad breath because of a phenomenon called adaptation in which the olfactory (sense of smell) nerves in the nose become accustomed to our own smell. When this happens only those we interact with can let us know the problem exists or a dental professional can let you know about how much bad breath gases from the volatile sulfur compounds exist in your breath with a machine called a halimeter. Not all dentists have this diagnostic machine but more are adding it to their diagnostic equipment every day.

Four simple methods to help you test yourself for bad breath / halitosis are as follows:

1. First take a piece of un-waxed, un-flavored white dental floss and floss between your upper and lower back molars. Examine the floss. Is it red or brown? Wait about 45 seconds and then smell it closely. Does it have a bad odor?

2. The next test is to take a clean washcloth and then pull your tongue forward with one hand grasping the tongue with the washcloth. With the other hand and a clean white washcloth rub or scrape the furthest back portion of your tongue two or three times. Again, wait for about 45 seconds and then smell the portion of the cloth that was rubbed on the tongue. Does it have a bad smell?

3. A third technique is to simply lick your tongue on your own clean wrist. Wait, then smell. This technique does not get back far enough on the tongue to be of best value but can be a quick test in a pinch for time.

4. The best home method for checking your halitosis is the small test kit called the Halitox test (ALT, Inc), which stands for Halitosis Linked Toxin. You can order this kit by writing to me at rdowns@mchsi.com. The kit is a small test tube of harmless biochemicals which will turn yellow brown when you place some cotton tipped applicator of tongue scraping into the vial. The cost is $19.95 for a package of two test vials.

Directions for use of Halitox include: 1. Use one of the swabs in the kit to rub on the back of your tongue. 2. Place the cotton swab into the vial. 3. Wait about 30 to 45 minute and check the color change with the chart that is included with the kit. The density of the color change will indicate the level of sulfur compounds and polyamines on the back of the tongue. These are the most common causes of bad breath / halitosis.

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