Prevalence of Halitosis and Validation of an Instrument to Compare Self-Perceived Halitosis and Measured Halitosis in Senior Secondary School Children of North India

Nikita Mehta, Manoj Kumar, Amarjeet Singh

Abstract


Introduction: Halitosis is a very common problem and is experienced by majority of the population, but few persons perceive this problem whereas they actually do not suffer from it. Halitosis not only becomes a disease but also poses a social and psychological problem.

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of halitosis, document various measures to control halitosis and to validate an instrument used to measure the levels of halitosis against self-perceived levels of halitosis among school children.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a senior secondary school of Panchkula (Haryana). Data was collected using self-structured questionnaires that consisted of items on knowledge and perceptions on halitosis. An instrument was used to measure and compare levels of halitosis.

Results: Majority of the subjects experienced self-perceived halitosis, among which 61% rated their problem of halitosis as weak, and 9% as intense. 34.3% associated their problem of halitosis with dental caries. 38.7% thought that halitosis was due to their problem of bleeding gums, whereas 18.9% associated their problem with food lodgment. Majority of subjects, i.e., 33% practiced flossing to eliminate bad breath, followed by 24% subjects who went in for scaling and curettage, followed by 20% who used tongue scrapers, followed by 15% who went in for restorative treatment for dental caries, followed by 8% who used interdental brushes.

Conclusion: The present study shows that majority of people have haitophobia, i.e., pseudo halitosis. Also, improvement is needed in schools regarding dental awareness.


Keywords


CHX (Chlorhexidine), Dental caries, Gingivitis, Halimeter, Halitophobia, Halitosis, Periodontitis, TANITA breath analyser, VSC (Volatile Sulfur Compounds).

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References


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