Do You Really Need Emergency Dental Care? Here’s what you should know
If you already heard about halitophobia, then you must be aware that this condition is described as the delusional fear of having bad breath. Sure enough, no one wants to have bad breath as it restricts you to communicate with someone and reduce the confidence within you. However, halitophobia, also known as delusional halitosis, raises the bar to an extreme, making it a kind of psychological disorder.
Halitophobia as a Mental Condition
A lot of medical professionals deem halitophobia to be a mental disorder. This is because the person can’t be persuaded that halitosis does not exist.
One indication that the patient is suffering from the condition is the obsessive brushing of teeth that’s beyond the recommended routine. He or she will also constantly use breath mints or chew gum so as to hide the imaginary bad breath. Depression is common and is usually connected to an irrational fear of rejection if a person will be able to smell the breath of the patient with the said condition.
Common Causes of Halitophobia
Factors that trigger halitophobia to develop within a person’s bahaviour can be associated to different psychological patterns such as hypochondria, delusion and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Delusional halitosis is most closely linked to Olfactory Reference Syndrome- an illness in which a person becomes exaggeratedly obsessive that his body odour is horrible. Extreme cases of halitophobia can cause misery stemming from these chronic anxieties about gaining halitosis.
Disturbing Effects of Halitophobia
- Turning head away every time a person gets close to your face
- Can brought damage to your personal life and self-confidence
- Loss of vocal projection when speaking or choosing not to speak at all
- Fear of being close to people and physical affection
- Dwelling in fear of upsetting someone with their mouth odour
- Refraining from eating certain meals
- Extreme tooth brushing
- Depression or worst, suicide
Modes of Treatment for Halitophobia
Treating bad breath is yet the most successful way to deal with delusional halitosis. Bad breath can affect you and the people that surround you. That is why instead of eliminating the fear of having halitosis; it is more acceptable to eliminate your bad breath. Halitophobia can be beneficial in a way that it gives you the motivation required to carry out better oral hygiene activity. By means of oral hygiene education, your dentist can lead you to the right path of avoiding and eradicating halitosis.
Asking others regarding your breath can be helpful, too. Ask them straight if they think you have an issue with halistosis. It is better to listen to the people whom you can rely on with. If they consistently tell you that you do not have bad breath, then relax and trust them. Joining a support group that focuses on halitophobia is another effective way to ease your suffering from the condition.
Efficient Assistance for Halitophobia in Penrith
To acquire more helpful opinion regarding halitosis and halitophobia, go to your dependable dentist in Penrith. Your dental care partners here at Penrith Dental can provide you with professional advice about coping up with delusional halitosis condition. Moreover, we can help you realise that halitophobia should not affect one’s being significantly, and that you must live life to the fullest.
Contact us today for our FREE Dental Consultation for emergency appointments or claim our PAY NO GAP offer for General Dental Treatments if you have a health fund. Call us on (02) 4721 7771 or simply book your appointment online.
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