[Real and psychological halitosis--findings, diagnoses and outcomes of a halitosis clinic].

TL;DRAbstract

Halitosis is a common problem among humans. The cause can be oral or non-oral. Psychological causes (psychosomatic halitosis) are to be ranked as exceptional. During a period of 18 months, 144 patients were examined and treated at the Halitosis-Consultation at the University of Basle. All patients were convinced that they suffered from bad oral breath. A specially developed questionnaire was followed by a dental examination and a diagnosis. When halitosis with an oral cause was diagnosed an exclusive cause-related therapy was initiated and regulary controlled. 84% of the patients had halitosis with an oral cause; non-oral causes were rare; 12.5% (n=18) had psychosomatic halitosis. Tongue coating, gingivitis and periodontitis were the most frequent oral causes, tonsillitis the most frequent non-oral cause. No correlations were found between smoking and halitosis, or stress and halitosis. Patients with psychosomatic halitosis had a significantly higher rate of antidepressants intake. The

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