Pattern of presentation and outcome of routine dental interventions in patients with halitosis

The aims of this study were to describe the pattern of presentation of halitosis and to evaluate the success rate following routine dental intervention irrespective of the type of halitosis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among sixty consecutive patients who presented in our Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine Clinic, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, on account of halitosis from May 2015 to April 2016. Diagnosis of halitosis was made using the organoleptic method from a whole mouth breath test as described by Miyazaki et al., 1999. Halitosis was assessed before treatment, 2 and 6 weeks after treatment. The results were analysed with STATA statistical software version 11.

Sixty out of 305 patients seen in the clinics during the study period had halitosis, with a prevalence of 19.5%. Fourteen (23%) patients had pseudohalitosis while 46 (77%) had genuine halitosis; no case of halitophobia was seen. Majority (71.6%) brush their teeth once daily. The predominant extra-oral etiologic factors were respiratory 2 (3.3%) and ear, nose and throat disorders 1 (1.6%). Twenty-nine (63%) patients with genuine halitosis who had organoleptic scores of ≥4 had no perceivable odour, following routine dental interventions (P < 0.001); the remaining 17 (37%) patients only had slight malodour. Similarly, all the 14 (100%) patients with pseudohalitosis had complete remission after the treatment.

The prevalence of halitosis was 19.5%, with male predilection. Routine dental interventions achieved >90% success rate. Preventive oral care is recommended for all halitosis patients.