Halitosis - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Halitosis describes any disagreeable odor of expired air from the mouth. In most cases, it arises from the presence of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), diamines, and short-chain fatty acids in the exhaled air.
It is more likely to occur in individuals with oral, dental, and nasopharyngeal disease that can increase the accumulation of food debris and bacterial plaque.
If persistent and severe, it is defined as "pathologic halitosis." Very rarely, a spectrum of systemic disorders may also give rise to altered breath smell.
The diagnostic approach is largely based on patient history and clinical examination (including smelling the exhaled air of the mouth and nose). More objective diagnostic tools, which may be used in a specialist setting, include oral breath sulfide monitors and gas chromatography devices, and detection of oral bacteria likely to give rise to halitosis.
When associated with dental, oral, and nasopharyngeal disease, appropriate management of these conditions usually results in reduced accumulation of bacteria and reduced malodor. Therapy of halitosis due to systemic disease is based on treatment of relevant associated disorder.

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Definition

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Etiology

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Citations

Key Articles

Yaegaki K, Coil JM. Examination, classification, and treatment of halitosis: clinical perspectives. J Can Dent Assoc. 2000;66:257-261.[Abstract][Full Text]
Porter SR, Scully C. Oral malodour (halitosis). BMJ. 2006;333:632-635.[Abstract]
Delanghe G, Ghyselen J, van Steenberghe D, et al. Multidisciplinary breath-odour clinic. Lancet. 1997;350:187.[Abstract]
Iwu CO, Akpata O. Delusional halitosis: review of the literature and analysis of 32 cases. Br Dent J. 1990;168:294-296.[Abstract]
Pratten J, Pasu M, Jackson G, et al. Modelling oral malodour in a longitudinal study. Arch Oral Biol. 2003;48:737-743.[Abstract]

Referenced Articles

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