Bad Breath (Halitosis) Glossary of Terms

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Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ...

Belching: A normal process of releasing through the mouth air that accumulates in the stom...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Bronchitis: Inflammation and swelling of the bronchi. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.

Carbohydrate: One of the three nutrient compounds, along with fat and protein, used as ene...

Chronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ...

Chronic bronchitis: Inflammation and swelling of the lining of the airways, leading to nar...

Cure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou...

Diabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell...

Drip: Short for intravenous drip, a device for administering a fluid drop-by-drop into a v...

Dry mouth: The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. This is due to...

Exacerbate: To make worse. For example, smoking may exacerbate lung disease.

Family history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Fluoride: A compound of fluorine with another element or radical. Fluoride containing com...

Garlic: A perennial herb of the lily family cultivated for its pungent, edible bulbs. Garl...

Gastroesophageal: Pertaining to both the stomach and the esophagus, as in the gastroesopha...

Gastroesophageal reflux: The return of stomach contents back up into the esophagus This fr...

Gastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte...

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy...

Gum disease: Inflammation of the soft tissue (gingiva) and abnormal loss of bone that surr...

Halitosis: An unpleasant odor from the mouth, commonly referred to as bad breath. Halitosi...

Hygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ...

Infant: A young baby, from birth to 12 months of age.

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Kidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid...

Lactose: The sugar found in milk. Lactose is a large sugar molecule that is made up of two...

Lactose intolerance: The inability to digest lactose, a component of milk and some other d...

Liver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t...

Lungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon...

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Periodontal: Having to do with the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.

Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx. Pharyngitis is a common cause of sore throat.

Post-nasal drip: Mucous accumulation in the back of the nose and throat leading to or givi...

Reflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach.

Respiratory: Having to do with respiration.

Saliva: a watery secretion in the mouth produced by the salivary glands that aids in the d...

Salivary gland: A gland in the mouth that produces saliva. The salivary glands can become ...

Sinusitis: Inflammation of the lining membrane in any of the hollow areas (sinuses) of the...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Syndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process.

Taste: A perception that results from stimulation of a gustatory nerve. Taste belongs to t...

Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th...

Tobacco: A South American herb (Nicotiana tabacum) whose leaves contain 2 to 8 percent nic...

Tongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ...

Tonsillitis: Inflammation of one or both tonsils, typically as a result of infection by a ...

Tonsils: Small masses of lymphoid tissue at the back and on both sides of the throat.

Tooth: One of the structures within the mouth that allow for biting and chewing. Teeth hav...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.

Xerostomia: Dry mouth. Xerostomia can be associated with systemic diseases, such as Sjogre...