Clinical Perspectives of Halitosis- A Review

NTRODUCTION Halitosis is defined as breath that is offensive to others, caused by a variety of reasons including but not limited to periodontal disease, bacterial coating of tongue, systemic disorders and different types of food. It is one of the most frequent claims from patients to the dentist. Halitosis is not a disease but rather a symptom of underlying oral, systemic or psychological conditions. The primary cause of halitosis is due to release of odoriferous volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) in the exhaled air. VSC are released following putrefactive activity of anaerobic bacteria present in the oral or nasal cavity. The VSC may also be absorbed by the blood stream from a remote part of the body, such as from cirrhotic liver, and transferred to the pulmonary alveoli to be exhaled through the nostrils or mouth as malodorous breath. If VSC are present in an objectionable concentration in the breath, it is perceived as halitosis. 3