Specialist Dentist and Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgeon Prof. Dr. Birkan Taha Özkan explained that psychological conditions such as depression, stress and anxiety are the main factors that increase bad breath.
Specialist Dentist and Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgeon Prof. Dr. Birkan Taha Özkan listed the factors that can cause bad breath. Stating that psychological conditions such as depression, stress and anxiety can cause bad breath, Prof. Dr. Birkan Özkan stated that individuals undergoing depression treatment should not neglect oral care.
Can antidepressants cause bad breath?
Prof. Dr. Birkan Özkan stated that individuals during depression should pay attention to their oral care and said, “Some antidepressant drugs used during depression cause dryness in the mouth and reduce saliva production. However, saliva is a natural defense tool that cleans bacteria in the mouth. When saliva production decreases, the mouth becomes dry and bacteria multiply rapidly, leading to bad breath. Dry mouth is one of the main causes of bad breath during depression. Individuals undergoing depression treatment should not neglect oral care.”
Social effects of bad breath
Stating that problems such as seeing oneself inadequate in society occur in individuals with bad breath, Prof. Dr. Birkan Özkan said, “Individuals with bad breath develop introversion, increased obsessive thinking and constant self-criticism. These individuals complain about every detail and see themselves as inadequate, so the thought that bad breath will be perceived by society increases social anxiety. This situation may cause social isolation and loss of self-confidence by removing the person from the society.”
“Bacteria cause bad odors”
Emphasizing the importance of taking care of daily oral care to prevent bad breath, Prof. Dr. Birkan Özkan said, “In addition, increased psychological burdens in individuals who have difficulty expressing their feelings can lead to tangible health problems such as bad breath. These people often experience intense internal pressure and this pressure can manifest itself in physical symptoms such as bad breath. Lack of daily oral care, inadequate brushing and flossing increases the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria cause bad odors.”
Triggering stomach disorders
Stating that depression and stress also affect stomach health, Prof. Dr. Özkan said, “Especially stomach disorders such as reflux gastritis and ulcers can cause stomach acid to reach the mouth and cause bad breath. This situation seriously affects not only the stomach but also oral health. The effects of stomach problems caused by depression or stress on oral health should not be ignored.”
The importance of water consumption
Emphasizing the importance of water consumption, Özkan said, “Stress and anxiety states can directly lead to a decrease in saliva production. Some hormones secreted by the body under stress can reduce saliva production. Lack of saliva causes bacteria in the mouth to multiply faster and bad breath appears. It is important to be aware of the direct effects of stress management on oral health. We recommend increasing water consumption to prevent dry mouth. Depression, stress, obsessiveness, introversion and anxiety should be aware of the effects of depression, stress, obsessiveness, introversion and anxiety on oral health, 80 percent of the causes of bad breath are problems related to the dentist, and the remaining 20 percent are caused by psychological and systemic diseases. In these processes, the dentist should be examined and more attention should be paid to oral care, otherwise dental problems will increase even more.”
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