Halitosis: An 8-Type Clinical Classification With Integrated Diagnostic and Therapeutic Algorithms

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Dentistry
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Misclassification of halitosis leads to ineffective treatments.
• A standardized approach to halitosis diagnosis is needed.
• Understanding the diverse etiologies of halitosis is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a clinical classification system for halitosis.
• To organize halitosis into distinct types based on etiology and clinical presentation.
• To propose a diagnostic workflow for differentiating halitosis causes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a clinical classification system for halitosis.
• Categorization of halitosis into intraoral, extraoral, and perceptual types.
• Proposal of a diagnostic workflow for clinical application.

Main Results:

• Halitosis is classified into eight types: tongue biofilm, periodontal disease, peri-implant disease, xerostomia-associated halitosis, airway-related conditions, metabolic/systemic disorders, pseudohalitosis, and halitophobia.
• Intraoral causes are identified as significant contributors.
• Extraoral and perceptual conditions are also delineated.

Conclusions:

• The proposed classification system provides a framework for understanding halitosis etiology.
• The diagnostic workflow can assist clinicians in identifying the specific cause of halitosis.
• Accurate classification is essential for targeted and effective halitosis treatment.