Outcome of Questionnaire: Patients Who Maintain That They Have Halitosis

Studies indicate that volatile sulphur compounds are primarily responsible for halitosis (Ractcliff P.A.). The aetiology may be isolated to the oral cavity but underlying medical conditions, oral hygiene care and diet also may influence halitosis. Objectives: To determine the effect of the medical conditions, oral hygiene habits and diet on halitosis of patients who maintain that they have halitosis. Methods: One hundred and three questionnaires were collected from the various Nu Breath Clinics. The data from the questionnaire were read into a computer program and the results analyzed. Results: Of the 103 patients who believe that they have halitosis, 56.3% brush twice-daily and 20.4% once a day. 33.9% floss and 68% clean their tongues regularly but 86.4% still believe they have a social problem due to halitosis. When analysing the medical conditions stress appeared to be the highest. More than 50 % consumed garlic in their diets. Conclusion: Further investigation is needed on tooth-brushing and tongue cleansing methods to determine the correlation between patients' perception of halitosis and oral cleaning methods and oral conditions. Reference: Radcliff P.A., Johnson P.W. (1999). The relation between oral malodor, gingivitis and periodontitis: A review. Journal of Periodontology. 70(5): 485-489