Halitosis ("bad breath") may be something your patients or their family and friends complain about and is a common condition. Halitosis is a common condition, estimated to affect around a quarter of the population.
Dentists should be vigilant in identifying halitosis and evaluate whether patients require further treatment to address this. Halitosis can be temporary, for example when eating certain foods. However, halitosis can also be chronic as a result of:
Oral causes, including poor oral hygiene, tongue coating and periodontal disease, are responsible for the vast majority of cases of halitosis accounting for around 85% of cases.
Of note, some individuals perceive that they have halitosis in the absence of measurable/detectable halitosis. A referral for pyschological help may be needed for some of these individuals.
To begin, it is important to educate and coach your patient on proper oral hygiene by advising:
By treating diagnosed conditions such as periodontal disease and dental caries, including with the above recommendations, halitosis can be reduced.
Patients may also report other issues along with their bad breath, such as complaints of heartburn or a persistent cough which suggests GERD, or report complaints consistent with another systemic condition. If a systemic disease/condition is suspected as a potential cause, patients should be referred to a physician for diagnosis and treatment.
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