Prevalence and Associated Factors of Subjective Halitosis in Korean Adolescents.

So Young Kim,Hyo Geun Choi,Sung-Gyun Kim,Songyong Sim,Bumjung Park,A Al-Ahmad

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140214

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of subjective halitosis in adolescents. In total, 359,263 participants were selected from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) from 2009 through 2013. Demographic data including age, sex, obesity and residency; psychosocial factors such as subjective health, stress, and economic levels; and dietary factors such as alcohol consumption; smoking; and fruit, soda, fast food, instant noodle, confection, and vegetable consumption were analyzed for correlations with halitosis using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling. In total, 23.6% of the participants reported the presence of halitosis. The following subjectively assessed factors were related to halitosis: poor health status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.56), overweight or obese (AOR = 1.37), stress (AOR = 2.56), and lower economic levels (AOR = 1.85). The high intake of fast food (AOR = 1.15), instant noodles (AOR = 1.17), and confections (AOR = 1.17) and the low intake of fruits (AOR = 1.22) and vegetables (AOR = 1.19) were also related to halitosis. The prevalence of subjective halitosis in the studied adolescents was 23.6%. Specific psychosocial factors and dietary intake were related to halitosis.

Highlights

Halitosis is defined as the presence of unpleasant or foul smelling breath that primarily originates from the oral cavity [1, 2]
Rural residence compared to city residence, poor health status, high stress, and low economic level demonstrated positive relations with halitosis (P < 0.001)
The frequent intake of alcohol, smoking, soda, fast food, instant noodles, and confections was associated with halitosis (P < 0.001)

Summary

Introduction

Halitosis is defined as the presence of unpleasant or foul smelling breath that primarily originates from the oral cavity [1, 2]. Numerous origins or causes of halitosis exist. Halitosis can be classified as either primary halitosis, which originates from the exhalation by the lungs, or secondary halitosis, which relates with the mouth or upper airways [6]. Most secondary halitosis likely develops because of various foul smelling substances including volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the oral cavity. The remainder of the extra-oral or systemic origins of halitosis encompass chronic sinusitis, post-nasal drip, nasal foreign bodies, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal conditions such as PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0140214. The remainder of the extra-oral or systemic origins of halitosis encompass chronic sinusitis, post-nasal drip, nasal foreign bodies, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal conditions such as PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0140214 October 13, 2015

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Discussion

Conclusion