title: [Bad breath from the oral cavity].
abstract: Halitosis, or bad breath, is a clinical problem for many people. In the majority of cases the problem has been shown to originate in the oral cavity. All conditions that favour the retention of anaerobic, mainly gram-negative, bacteria will predispose for the development of bad breath. In addition to periodontal pockets, the most important retention site is the dorsum of the tongue with its numerous papillae. The bacteria metabolize sulphur-containing amino acids to yield the volatile sulphur-containing compounds hydrogen sulphide and methylmercaptane. These substances have an offensive odour in very low concentrations. The sulphur compounds may also damage the surrounding tissue directly, and thereby contribute to the initiation and development of periodontal disease. During the night and between meals the conditions are optimal for odour production. The importance of regular meals is therefore emphasized. To supplement conventional oral hygienic measures the patients are advised to brush their tongue. The use of oral care products which contain metal ions, especially zinc, will inhibit odour formation because of the affinity of the metal ion to sulphur. It is also possible to measure the level of volatile sulphur-containing compounds in the air in the mouth directly by means of a portable sulphide monitor. Dentists and physicians are both advised to discuss the problem of halitosis with their patients, since this should be regarded as an important aspect of the patient's health.
authors.affiliation: Odontologisk fakultet Universitetet i Oslo.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wåler
mesh_terms: D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological