M. Quirynen, B. Vandekerckhove, J. Dadamio & S. Van den Velde
Catholic University Leuven, Dept. Periodontology, Kapucijnenvoer 33, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. |
During the last decade, 2000 patients visited our multidisciplinary halitosis consultation (“bad breath clinic”). All patients were examined by the same clinician BV) in a standardized way by means of a questionnaire, clinical examination, organoleptic assessment, and recording of VSC values (Halimeter, Oral Chroma).
Most patients had complaints for many years (mean: 7 yrs, SD: 8 yrs; for 40% of the females and 33% of the males > 5 yrs). For 76% an intra-oral cause was found (with tongue coating (43%), gingivitis/periodontitis (11%), or a combination (18%) being most often encountered). Pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia was diagnosed in 16% of the subjects. ENT/extra-oral causes were detected in 4% of the patients. Significant correlations were found between organoleptic scores, Halimeter values and Oral Chroma data (R = 0.74 for organoleptic vs. Halimeter; 0.66 for organoleptic vs. Oral Chroma; 0.63 for Halimeter vs. Oral Chroma). Moreover, the organoleptic scores, the Halimeter levels and the Oral Chroma values were significantly correlated with: the amount of tongue coating, the probing pocket depth, and the oral hygiene level.
This large-scale study does shows that in most patients complaining of halitosis there is an intra-oral origin. However, there is a small part of patients with an extra-oral cause, and a growing percentage of patients with halitophobia, which should not be underestimated.
A multidisciplinary approach remains therefore the method of choice to come to the right diagnosis and treatment for each individual patient.
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