The following symptoms and complaints may indicate halitosis (bad breath): Leading symptoms Foul odor from the mouth and / or nose Unpleasant taste in the mouth Mental stress Warning signs (red flags) Weight loss → think of: Malnutrition/undernutrition, tumor disease.
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of halitosis (bad breath). Family history Is there a frequent occurrence of dental diseases, problems with halitosis in your family? Social anamnesis Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints). How long has the bad breath been present? It the bad breath … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Medical History
Respiratory System (J00-J99) Bronchiectasis (synonym: bronchiectasis)-permanent irreversible saccular or cylindrical dilatation of the bronchi (medium-sized airways) that may be congenital or acquired; symptoms: chronic cough with “mouthful expectoration” (large-volume triple-layered sputum: foam, mucus, and pus), fatigue, weight loss, and decreased exercise capacity Lung abscess – encapsulated accumulation of pus in the lungs. Pneumonia (pneumonia) Sinusitis … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that can be caused by halitosis (bad breath) as well: Psyche – Nervous System (F00-F99; G00-G99). Social isolation
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes Examination of the lungs: Auscultation (listening) of the lungs [due todifferential diagnoses: bronchiectasis (synonym: bronchiectasis; congenital or acquired dilation of the bronchi); lung abscess (encapsulated … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Examination
Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT, GGT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin. Renal parameters – urea, creatinine, cystatin C if necessary.
Therapeutic target Elimination or prevention of bad breath Therapy recommendations Mouth rinses (pay attention to side effects! In addition to drug therapy (see below), careful oral hygiene (regular brushing with toothpastes with additives of zinc or zinc fluoride) is necessary. Furthermore, regular dental check-ups are required. See also under “Further therapy“. Preparations with the following … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Drug Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnosticsand obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Sulfide monitors (halimeters): sulfide monitors are the most common devices for halitosis diagnosis and are also called halimeters. A plastic straw is used to draw in some air from the … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Diagnostic Tests
To prevent halitosis (bad breath), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Malnutrition or undernourishment Fasting cure especially under weight reduction with a diet high in protein and fat) or “starvation”. Pleasure food consumption Alcohol (here: alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence). Coffee Tobacco (smoking* * ) Poor oral hygiene (poor dental … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Prevention
Pathogenesis (development of disease) The causes of physiological halitosis are found directly in the mouth (about 90% of cases). The foul odor comes from the back of the tongue or from consumed foods and stimulants such as garlic or alcohol.Pathologic halitosis can have both oral – affecting the mouth – and extraoral – outside the … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Causes
If a non-oral disease is identified as the cause of halitosis, the first step is to treat it causally and then wait to see how it progresses. General measures Observance of the general oral hygiene measures! Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use). Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 … Bad Breath (Halitosis): Therapy
