[Halitosis, foetor ex ore].

OBJECTIVE

To review the results of a multidisciplinary approach on halitosis.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

SETTING

University Hospital Leuven, Belgium.

METHODS

Review of the data on etiology, diagnosis and therapy of halitosis, obtained by a multidisciplinary team consisting of ENT specialists, periodontologists and a psychiatrist. Malodour was confirmed by a halimeter.

RESULTS

491 patients, equally males and females, with a concentration between 20-50 years of age were seen. Oral causes (87%) were due to tongue coating (51%), gingivitis (17%), periodontitis (15%) or combinations 17%). The other 13% causes were due to ENT-related problems (4%), both ENT and oral (3%), digestive tract (1%) and presumed psychic (5%).

CONCLUSION

Halitosis is a rather unknown medical problem that often can be solved by a multidisciplinary approach.