BACKGROUND: As there are few studies in Europe describing characteristics of breath malodor for large groups of patients, this retrospective study was designed to analyse the etiology of halitosis among patients attending a breath malodor center in Northern Italy. METHODS: Clinical records of 547 consecutive patients were reviewed and data on self-perceived halitosis, organoleptic scores, volatile sulphur compound (VSC) levels, and oral health condition were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: The prevalence of intra-oral halitosis was 90.7%. In 21 patients no objective signs of breath malodor could be found. Periodontitis and gingivitis were the main cause of bad breath in 33.9% of subjects and in combination with tongue coating in 55.2%. Only eight subjects have tongue coating as the only cause of halitosis. Ear, nose and throat (ENT)/extra-oral causes were found in 5.2% of the patients. VSC concentrations were lower in the psychogenic halitosis group, whereas no statistically significant differences were detected when comparing intra-oral and extra-oral halitosis except for (CH3)2S. CONCLUSIONS: Psychogenic halitosis is a rare condition among subjects complaining of suffering from bad breath. The most prevalent cause of halitosis is intra-oral, in particular a combination of tongue coating and periodontal disease. Tongue coating is rarely the primary cause of oral malodor.

Etiology and characteristics of halitosis in patients of a halitosis center in Northern Italy

Romano F.
First
;
Aimetti M.
Last
2020-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As there are few studies in Europe describing characteristics of breath malodor for large groups of patients, this retrospective study was designed to analyse the etiology of halitosis among patients attending a breath malodor center in Northern Italy. METHODS: Clinical records of 547 consecutive patients were reviewed and data on self-perceived halitosis, organoleptic scores, volatile sulphur compound (VSC) levels, and oral health condition were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: The prevalence of intra-oral halitosis was 90.7%. In 21 patients no objective signs of breath malodor could be found. Periodontitis and gingivitis were the main cause of bad breath in 33.9% of subjects and in combination with tongue coating in 55.2%. Only eight subjects have tongue coating as the only cause of halitosis. Ear, nose and throat (ENT)/extra-oral causes were found in 5.2% of the patients. VSC concentrations were lower in the psychogenic halitosis group, whereas no statistically significant differences were detected when comparing intra-oral and extra-oral halitosis except for (CH3)2S. CONCLUSIONS: Psychogenic halitosis is a rare condition among subjects complaining of suffering from bad breath. The most prevalent cause of halitosis is intra-oral, in particular a combination of tongue coating and periodontal disease. Tongue coating is rarely the primary cause of oral malodor.
2020
69
3
174
182
https://www.minervamedica.it/it/riviste/minerva-stomatologica/articolo.php? cod=R18Y2020N03A0174
Humans; Italy; Retrospective Studies; Tongue; Halitosis; Periodontitis
Romano F.; Pigella E.; Guzzi N.; Manavella V.; Campanelli L.; Aimetti M.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Romano - Etiology and characteristics of halitosis in patients of a halitosis center in.pdf

Accesso riservato

Descrizione: Etiology and characteristics of halitosis in patients of a halitosis center in Northen Italy
Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 4.79 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
4.79 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Etiology and characteristics of halitosis in a halitosis center in Northen Italy.pdf

Open Access dal 02/07/2021

Descrizione: Postprint Etiology and characteristics of halitosis
Tipo di file: POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione 587.01 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
587.01 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1765494
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 1
  • Scopus 2
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 3
social impact