https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0992-2362
Abstract
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.
Data Sharing Statement
The data supporting the findings of this review article are available within the paper.
Acknowledgments
Under the guidance of the authors, professional medical writing support was provided by David P. Figgitt PhD, ISMPP CMPP™, Content Ed Net, with funding from Mylan, Spain.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed extensively to the work presented in this paper. All authors have contributed significantly to the conception and interpretation of data. All authors have participated in drafting, reviewing, and/or revising the manuscript, have approved the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
S Renvert received an honorarium from Mylan for attending the Advisory Board meeting. MJ Noack regularly acts as a scientific consultant to manufacturers of mouth rinses and home cleaning products, including CP GABA, Mylan and Johnson & Johnson and receives honoraria for sponsored lectures; regarding the current paper, MJ Noack received an honorarium from Mylan for attending the Advisory Board meeting. C Lequart received an honorarium from Mylan for attending the Advisory Board meeting. S Roldán received personal fees for lecturing from Colgate, Dentaid and Johnson & Johnson, not related to the present paper, and received an honorarium from Mylan for attending the Advisory Board meeting. ML Laine received a travel grant and her institute received an honorarium from Mylan for attending the Advisory Board meeting and grants from Arkray, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.