Halitosis treatments in general dentistry. - ROS - 2012 - Tome 41 - N°3

In physiological conditions, the "normal" breath has a neutral odor which is not smelt by other people. Its subjective perception is influenced by numerous individual parameters and cultural factors.
The breath odor varies during the day, according to the ingested food, dental hygiene, but also in case of emotional stress or nervousness. Odorless at first, it may become perceptible, although not necessarily in an unpleasant way.
Halitosis is themedical termused to define bad breath, also called fetid breath.
It is generally perceived during phonation (expiration of the air by the mouth) but it can also be smelt when the mouth is closed, during nasal expirations. In the first case, the halitosis causes are essentially oral while in the second, halitosis is due to extra-oral causes.
Affecting up to 25% of the general population, this pathology is a major handicap to a good integration in society. It puts the patient in awkward situations with his/her relatives (hand on mouth, avoidance attitude) and leads to an excessive use of chewing gum or mouthwashes. It is a sensitive subject the patient does not easily talk about, neither with his close relatives or the treating medical staff.
The odontologist's role is thus crucial in the search for the cause of the halitosis as well as its treatment, both curative and preventive.