Article: FOCUS ON HALITOSIS; One in four adults regularly suffers bad breath, which causes misery and embarrassment. So what can be done to prevent it?

Byline: ROGER DOBSON

What is it?

HALITOSIS, or malodour, is bad breath.

The intensity varies between individuals and is classed as mild, moderate, pungent, objectionable or very objectionable.

What causes it?

IN MORE than nine out of ten cases, bad breath originates from the mouth and is usually caused by oral bacteria and poor care of the gums.

Breath becomes unpleasant when volatile sulphur compounds are released by bacteria in the mouth. These result from the breakdown of protein by bacteria on the tongue and teeth.

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