Oral hygiene practices, smoking habit, and self-perceived oral malodor among dental students

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of oral hygiene practices and halitosis among undergraduate students from King Saud University, College of Dentistry. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among all 481 students; 263 male and 218 female students. A questionnaire was developed to assess the self-reported perception of oral breath, awareness of bad breath, timing of bad breath, treatment received for bad breath, oral hygiene practices, caries and bleeding gums, dryness of the mouth, smoking and tea drinking habits, and tongue coating. The response rate was 77%. Forty four percent of male and 32% of female students reported the self-perception of breath odor. Self-treatment was sought by 12% male and 22% female. Six percent of males and 4% of females experienced bad breath interference at their work. Seventy-eight percent of male and 62% of female students experienced bad breath after waking up. Brushing was prevalent among 81% of male and 99% of female students. Both miswak (chewing sticks) and tooth brushing were used by 53% male and 83% female students. Fifty seven percent of male students and 44% of female students reported caries. Bleeding gingiva was experienced by 26% of males and 14% of females. Dry mouth was common among 14% of males and 17% of females, while smoking was prevalent among 13% of males and 2% of females. Tea drinking was common among 44% of males and 37% of females, while tongue coating was equally common among both males and females (21% and 20%), respectively. The results indicate female students had better oral hygiene practices, significantly less self-reported oral bad breath, and smoked less compared to male students. There was no difference in tongue coating among male and female students. Further research is needed to examine oral malodor clinically and objectively by the standard procedures available. Students should be motivated to be a health symbol and keeping their mouths free from oral malodor.