Halitosis - A symptom not a disease

Halitosis is a symptom and not a disease, it has a complex etiology. The word halitosis is derived from Latin word halitus that is breath, Literal meaning bad breath. Synonyms for halitosis are bad odor, malodor, unpleasant or offensive odor, feter ex-ore, fetor oris. It is a common complaint dating back to ancient times. It may be of diagnostic significance and its origin may be oral or extraoral. Some peoples bad breath is detected only occasionally and at a very close range. Others suffer from bad breath that is relatively constant and is offensive to people just 3 feet away. Halitosis affects 50% of adult men, 35% of adult women and 15% of children. Halitosis is an unpleasant or offensive odour emanating from the oral cavity, leading to discomfort and psychosocial embarrassment. Halitosis results from tongue coatings, periodontal disease, periimplant disease, deep carious lesions, necrotic tooth pulps that are exposed, pericoronitis, operculitis, mucosal ulcerations, wounds in healing stage, impacted food debris, faulty / imperfect dental restorations, unhygienic dentures and factors causing decreased salivation.