Halitosis: a review article

Halitosis or bad breath is an oral health condition characterized by unpleasant odors emanating consistently from the oral cavity. For the majority of patients with halitosis, it causes embarrassment and affects their social communication and life. Moreover, halitosis can be indicative of underlying diseases. In general, intraoral conditions, like poor dental hygiene, periodontitis or tongue coating are considered to be the most important cause (85%) for halitosis. In addition, ear-nose-throat-associated (10%) or gastrointestinal/endocrinological (5%) disorders may contribute to the problem. Even though majority of oral malodor is of oral origin, there are multiple other systemic causes that have to be addressed while we diagnose and treat this condition. Therefore, dentists/ periodontists are the first-line professionals to be confronted with this problem. Proteolytic activity by microorganisms residing on the tongue and teeth results in foul-smelling compounds, and is the most common cause of oral malodor. The mouth air of chronic malodor sufferers is tainted with compounds such as hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and organic acids, which produce a stream of foul air that is gravely offensive to the people in their vicinity Management may include simple measures such as scaling and planing, good oral hygiene, tongue cleaning, and mouth rinsing.