• Prevention of more serious problems;
• Better self-confidence.

None.

• Deterioration of oral health;
• Loss of self-confidence.

The dentist will determine whether the cause of halitosis is intraoral or extraoral. If it is extraoral, the patient will be recommended to the appropriate specialist (ear, nose and throat specialist[ENT], gastroenterologist, etc.) If the origin of bad breath comes from the mouth, treatment will depend on the exact cause and may take different forms:

• Descaling

Any treatment must begin with a good descaling to remove tartaric deposits above and below the gingiva (factors favouring periodontal disease).

• Treatment of periodontal disease

Periodontitis, an infection of the tissues that support the tooth (gums and bone), is the most common cause of halitosis. The periodontal pockets caused by this disease are filled with bacteria. These produce sulphurous elements that give off a bad smell. In addition, gum bleeding that occurs after morning brushing can also affect breath. If scaling is not sufficient, periodontal pockets should be surgically removed. Good oral hygiene will then be crucial to prevent relapse.

• Caries treatment

If cavities are present, they should be treated with fillings (fillings). Normally, cavities alone are not responsible for bad breath, unless they are at an advanced stage or there are several.

The cost varies depending on the cause of the halitosis problem and, consequently, the type of treatment recommended.

• Maintain good oral hygiene to remove plaque bacteria from teeth, fixed prostheses or fixed orthodontic appliances in the mouth;
• Brush teeth and tongue with a soft or extra soft brush 2 to 3 times a day and floss at least once a day, ideally in the evening, to properly remove plaque and food residue;
• Perform a mouthwash: As a supplemental treatment, the dentist may recommend the use of an antiseptic mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. However, prolonged use should be avoided as it can lead to taste changes, tooth discolouration and a burning sensation on the tip of the tongue. Some baking soda toothpastes also improve breath. Note that mouthwashes and toothpastes are secondary solutions and only have a short-term effect. If the cause is not addressed, these solutions will not solve the bad breath problem. It should also be noted that a majority of products on the market that claim to fight bad breath do not have scientifically proven efficacy;
• Visit your dentist regularly (twice a year) for a routine check-up and cleaning.
  

• Endodontic treatment: in the case of dental necrosis, irreversible pulpitis or apical abscess, endodontic care (root canal treatment) or extraction will be required.
• Orthodontics: If halitosis is caused by dental malpositions, orthodontic correction may be recommended, as malpositioned teeth may be more difficult to clean.
• Tongue scraping: if a lingual coating (deposit on the tongue) is detected, the dentist can proceed with decontamination using a tongue scraper.