Open Access<p>The Underestimated Problem of Intra-Oral Halitosis in Dental Practice: An Expert Consensus Review</p>
Author(s) -
Stefan Renvert,
Michael Noack,
Christophe Lequart,
Silvia Roldán,
Marja L. Laine
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical, cosmetic and investigational dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.518
H-Index - 23
ISSN - 1179-1357
DOI - 10.2147/ccide.s253765
Subject(s) - medicine , dental practice , dentistry
Approximately 90% of halitosis cases originate within the oral cavity (intra-oral halitosis). With a focus on intra-oral halitosis, this narrative review article provides a current summary of the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of halitosis and discusses practical considerations for healthcare professionals (HCPs), including dentists, dental hygienists, general practitioners, community pharmacists, nurses and medical specialists. MEDLINE and PubMed were searched up to 31 December 2019. Additional information was sourced from reference lists of relevant published literature. Full-text articles which reported on the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of halitosis were considered for inclusion. Halitosis affects substantial numbers of individuals globally and is an underestimated problem in dental practice. Current estimates of the prevalence of halitosis, in addition to diagnostic methods and management considerations for halitosis, are discussed. Although not a life-threatening condition, halitosis has a significant impact on patients' quality of life and can result in psychological consequences including social, professional and affective limitations. Using a simple step-wise approach for diagnosis and treatment, dentists and dental hygienists are ideally placed to respond to an initial consultation for halitosis.