Halitosis

In Western medicine, halitosis is typically attributed to the uneven surface of the tongue trapping bacteria, compounded by factors like poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, and medication side effects. On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) identifies two primary disharmonies associated with halitosis. The first is large intestine dryness, characterized by a deficiency of body fluid in the large intestine and stomach, often manifesting as dry mouth, stools, and throat. This is corroborated by clinical studies suggesting the role of stomach Yin deficiency in oral dryness (Liu et al., 2012, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine). The second pattern is stomach heat or fire, indicative of excess heat in the stomach, manifesting as bad breath, thirst, and bleeding gums. This aligns with research showing that inflammatory markers can be indicators of oral health conditions (Javaid et al., 2016, Journal of Clinical Periodontology). Both Western and TCM approaches indicate complex etiological factors contributing to halitosis.