Bad breath

Signs, Symptoms, and Prevalence of Bad Breath

• Noticeably unpleasant breath odor
• Associated with anxiety, depression, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Can cause social stigma and affect daily life
• Common reason for seeking dental care
• Estimated rates of bad breath vary from 6% to 50% of the population

Causes of Bad Breath

• 85% of genuine bad breath cases originate from inside the mouth
• Remaining cases may be due to disorders in the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, esophagus, or stomach
• Rarely, underlying medical conditions such as liver failure or ketoacidosis can cause bad breath
• Non-genuine cases occur when someone complains of bad breath but others cannot detect it
• Treatment depends on the underlying cause

Locations in the Mouth Contributing to Bad Breath

• Mouth: odor-producing biofilm on the back of the tongue or other areas of the mouth due to poor oral hygiene
• Tongue: anaerobic bacteria on the back of the tongue thrive under a coating of food debris, dead cells, and bacteria
• Gums: gingival crevices and periodontal pockets can contribute to bad breath

Locations Outside the Mouth Contributing to Bad Breath

• Nose and Sinuses: nasal odor due to sinus infections, foreign bodies in the nose, chronic rhinosinusitis
• Tonsils: chronic caseous tonsillitis, tonsillolithiasis (tonsil stones), peritonsillar abscess
• Esophagus: lower esophageal sphincter not closing properly, hiatal hernia or GERD causing acid reflux, Zenkers diverticulum retaining aging food
• Stomach and Systemic Diseases: allyl methyl sulfide from garlic digestion, systemic diseases causing foul breath odor

Classification, Management, and Research on Bad Breath

• Classification: genuine halitosis, pseudohalitosis, and halitophobia
• Management: physical or chemical means to decrease bacteria in the mouth, addressing underlying diseases, counseling
• Research: studies on etiology, diagnosis, and management of halitosis, effectiveness of mechanical measures and mouthwashes
• Social and Psychological Impact: self-perception issues, impact on personal relationships, measurement methods and future prospects for assessing oral malodor

Bad breath Data Sources