| Objectives:Halitosis means an unpleasant or offensive odor to others that emits from the oral cavity. It is not only a reflection of physical health, but also has psychological effects that result in social isolation. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors associated with halitosis.Methods:Questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographics, self-perception, life style factors, oral hygiene practices and systemic diseases of the patients who visited the Department of Preventive Dentistry for halitosis. Organoleptic test and Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs) measurement were applied to assess halitosis. In the meantime, the caries, residual crown/root, periodontal status, tongue coating and restorations were assessed.Results:From April 2014 to January 2016, there were 219 patients came to the Department of Preventive Dentistry for halitosis. Excluded 9 patients with incomplete data,210 patients entered the stage of result analysis. The gender of the study group was balanced, patients'age ranged from 13 to 71 years old (mean ±SD:32.0±10.6), and the incidence of Organoleptic Score (OS)?2 in males (56.2%) was higher than females (43.8%) (P=0.020).65% of patients had OS>2, the VSCs level of 40% patients were higher than 110ppb. Several factors such as duration of time, rhinitis, the thickness of tongue coating and periodontal conditions were found to be associated with OS. Taking sweetmeat, the thickness of tongue coating and residual crown/root were associated with the VSCs level.Conclusions:Oral malodor was a result of multiple factors. Among these patients, over three-fifths of patients had halitosis, and the prevalence of male was significantly higher than female. The oral health status had great associations with halitosis and the tongue coating was the most important factor. |
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