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Halitosis (Bad breath) or Oral Malodor : Main Causes : Dental Infographics PERIO-GRAPHICS, PERIO-CHECKLIST
Halitosis or Bad Breath can be defined as any disagreeable odor in expired air, regardless of whether the odorous substances originate from oral or non-oral sources
Oral malodor is closely associated with Periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene, tongue coating, dry mouth, dental caries, oral carcinoma, and several forms of stomatitis.
Halitosis (Bad breath)
HALITOSIS CAUSES INFOGRAPHIC
Diagnosis of Halitosis
- Oral malodor can be assessed using direct and indirect methods
A. DIRECT METHODS
- Organoleptic method (whole-mouth breath test, spoon test, floss odor test, salivary odor test and self perception of odor)
- Gas chromatography
- Sulphide monitors
- “Electronic nose”
B. INDIRECT METHODS
- Bacterial culture and smear
- Enzyme assay
TREATMENT OF ORAL MALODOR
- The treatment of oral malodor (thus of intraoral origin) should preferably be cause related.
- Because oral malodor is caused by the metabolic degradation of available proteins to malodorous gases by certain oral microorganisms, the following general treatment strategies can be applied:
1. Mechanical reduction of intraoral nutrients and microorganisms
2. Chemical reduction of oral microbial load
3. Rendering malodorous gases nonvolatile
4. Masking the malodor