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Dentistry vocabulary · Dental Conditions

Halitosis

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

/ˌhælɪˈtoʊsɪs/nounCommon term

In dentistry, halitosis means: The medical word for bad breath. In most cases it comes from bacteria on the tongue and around the teeth and gums, not from the stomach.

In Turkish: ağız kokusu, halitozis

How it is used

Used in clinical notes and leaflets; with patients, dentists usually say bad breath, which is more tactful. Causes discussed include tongue coating, gum disease, dry mouth and smoking.

Example sentences

  1. He came in worried about halitosis, but his gums turned out to be the main cause.

  2. Cleaning the tongue often helps with halitosis.

Common collocations

  • chronic halitosis
  • cause of halitosis
  • bad breath
  • tongue coating
  • gingivitisInflammation of the gums, usually caused by plaque. The gums look red and swollen and bleed easily, but good cleaning can reverse it.
  • plaqueA soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth every day. If brushing and cleaning between the teeth do not remove it, it leads to decay and gum disease.
  • periodontitisA serious gum disease in which infection destroys the bone and tissues that hold the teeth. Pockets form, teeth may loosen, and lost bone does not grow back by itself.
  • flossTo clean between the teeth and just under the edge of the gum with a thin thread. As a noun, it is the thread itself, also called dental floss.

More terms: Dental Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.