DEFINITION & ETIOLOGY

DEFINITION

Halitosis: Bad breath It can be categorised into:

• Physiological
• Pathological
• Psychological

ETIOLOGY

Physiological:

• Morning breath
• Fasting
• Smoking
• Foods and drinks

Pathological:

Intraoral causes (more common):

• Poor oral hygiene
• Periodontitis
• Gingivitis
• ANUG (Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis)
• Tongue coating

Extraoral causes:

• Nasal: Rhinitis
• Respiratory: LRTI, lung cancer, bronchiectasis
• Medication-related: promethazine, nitrates, bisphosphonates, lithium, metronidazole
• Metabolic: uraemia, liver failure, DKA
• GI: GORD

Psychological:

• Halitophobia
• Pseudo-halitosis