Halitosis (patient information)

Jump to navigation Jump to search

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Halitosis (patient information)

Articles

Most recent articles on Halitosis (patient information)

Most cited articles on Halitosis (patient information)

Review articles on Halitosis (patient information)

Articles on Halitosis (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Halitosis (patient information)

Images of Halitosis (patient information)

Photos of Halitosis (patient information)

Podcasts & MP3s on Halitosis (patient information)

Videos on Halitosis (patient information)

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Halitosis (patient information)

Bandolier on Halitosis (patient information)

TRIP on Halitosis (patient information)

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Halitosis (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Halitosis (patient information)

Clinical Trials on Halitosis (patient information) at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Halitosis (patient information)

NICE Guidance on Halitosis (patient information)

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Halitosis (patient information)

CDC on Halitosis (patient information)

Books

Books on Halitosis (patient information)

News

Halitosis (patient information) in the news

Be alerted to news on Halitosis (patient information)

News trends on Halitosis (patient information)

Commentary

Blogs on Halitosis (patient information)

Definitions

Definitions of Halitosis (patient information)

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Halitosis (patient information)

Discussion groups on Halitosis (patient information)

Patient Handouts on Halitosis (patient information)

Directions to Hospitals Treating Halitosis (patient information)

Risk calculators and risk factors for Halitosis (patient information)

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Halitosis (patient information)

Causes & Risk Factors for Halitosis (patient information)

Diagnostic studies for Halitosis (patient information)

Treatment of Halitosis (patient information)

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Halitosis (patient information)

International

Halitosis (patient information) en Espanol

Halitosis (patient information) en Francais

Business

Halitosis (patient information) in the Marketplace

Patents on Halitosis (patient information)

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Halitosis (patient information)

Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is Halitosis?

Halitosis, or breath odor, is the scent of the air you breathe out of your mouth. Unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive breath odor is commonly called bad breath.

What are the symptoms of Halitosis?

What are the causes of Halitosis?

If previously normal breath turns into halitosis, causes could include:

  • Abscessed tooth
  • Alcoholism
  • Cavities
  • Dentures
  • Drugs
    • Paraldehyde
    • Triamterene and inhaled anesthetics
    • Insulin - injection
  • Food or beverages consumed (such as cabbage, garlic, raw onions, or coffee)
  • Foreign body in the nose (usually in children)
    • Often (but not always) there is a white, yellowish, or bloody discharge from one nostril
  • Gum disease (gingivitis, gingivostomatitis)
  • Impacted tooth
  • Lung infection
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Sinusitis
  • Throat infection
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses)

Who is at risk for Halitosis?

How to know you have Halitosis?

When to seek urgent medical care

  • Breath odor persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as smoking or eating odor-causing foods).
  • You have breath odor and signs of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, or face pain with discharge from the nose

Treatment options

Home care

Use proper dental hygiene (especially flossing), and remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem.

Fresh parsley or a strong mint are often effective ways to fight temporary bad breath. Avoid smoking. Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

Diseases with similar symptoms

Where to find medical care for Halitosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Halitosis

Prevention of Halitosis

Good oral hygiene is essential. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.

You may be asked the following medical history questions:

  • Is there a specific odor?
  • Is there a fishy smell?
  • Does the breath smell like ammonia or urine?
  • Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell?
  • Does the breath smell like feces?
  • Does the breath smell like alcohol?
  • Have you recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food?
  • Do you take vitamin supplements?
  • Do you smoke?
  • Does good oral hygiene improve the odor?
  • What home care measures have you tried? How effective are they?
  • Is there a recent sore throat, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or other illness?
  • What other symptoms do you have?

The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and the nose. A throat culture may be taken if you have a sore throat or mouth sores.

In rare cases, diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

  • Blood tests to screen for diabetes or kidney failure
  • Endoscopy (EGD)
  • X-ray of the abdomen
  • X-ray of the chest

Antibiotics may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the nose, the doctor will use an instrument to remove it.


Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003058.htm


Template:SIB Template:WH Template:WS