The Research on Halitosis Self-Perception and Components among Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of Self-perceived halitosis and measure halitosis using Oral Chroma among adults, analyze its components, set criteria for identifying the causes of halitosis, and provide basic data in the area of halitosis prevention; for this purpose, a survey was conducted in 150 adults who visited oral health centers at two colleges in Daejeon and North Jeolla Province, respectively. It drew the following conclusion: Females (54.0%) were more likely to feel serious halitosis after getting up than males (35.3%); the respondents aged less than thirty (59.3%) were most likely to feel halitosis after getting up, followed by those aged from thirty to less than forty (17.3%), those aged from forty to less than fifty (7.3%), and those aged fifty or older (5.3%) (p<0.01). Females (36.0%) were more likely to feel halitosis around their tongue than males (17.3%); the respondents aged less than thirty (38.7%) were most likely to feel halitosis around their tongue, followed by those aged from thirty to less than forty (11.4%), those aged from forty to less than fifty (2.7%), and those aged fifty or older (0.7%) (p<0.05). The Oral Chroma halitosis measurements indicated 40.85 ppb hydrogen sulfide, 16.12 ppb methyl mercaptan, and 22.74 ppb dimethyl sulfide. The measurements showed that hydrogen sulfide was correlated with dental caries, periodontal diseases, and gastroenteric disorders and that dimethyl sulfide was correlated with gastroenteric disorders (p=0.041). These results have shown subjective awareness of halitosis among adults. It is essential to make multilateral assessment of diverse types of halitosis among individuals on the basis of the level of Self-perceived halitosis.