The relation between foetor ex ore, oral hygiene and periodontal disease

Bad breath usually originates in the mouth. It is described with different names as oral malodor, halitosis or foetor ex ore. Dental plaque, bacterial products from deep periodontal pockets and bacterial products from the ton gue probably cause bad breath but also bacterial products from tonsils and pharynx probably are involved. In this study we clinically examined subject s with very strong bad breath, foetor ex ore. Foetor ex ore was defined as strong evil-smelling odor from the mouth of the patient which had an affect on the examiner and made the oral examination excruciating. Subjects with foetor ex ore are not aware of it. It is usually noticed by others. There a re also persons who complain of bad breath that cannot be detected by other s, halitophobia. Our aim was to study the relation between foetor ex ore, h alitophobia and oral hygiene, periodontal disease. A total of 840 men, mean age 35.7(+/- 2.8 SD) and 841 women, mean age 35.7( +/-2.9 SD), participated. Clinical findings were noted, including the prese nce or absence of foetor ex ore. The subjects also filled in a self reporte d questionnaire concerning problems in the ol-al cavity and teeth. Foetor e x ore was present in 2.4 percent of the subjects. Multiple regression analy sis showed that calculus (P < 0.001), plaque (P < 0.01), and dental visits once every 3 yr. (P < 0.01) were significantly col-related to foetor ex ore . Periodontitis patients with foetor ex ore had more severe disease (P < 0. 001) than those without. Foetor ex ore was not related to suspected halitosis. One percent of the su bjects had suspected halitosis. Using multiple regression analysis, we foun d a significant correlation between calculus (P < 0.001) and suspected hali tosis. In conclusion this study shows that foetor ex ore was correlated to oral hygiene and dental visits. Periodontitis patients with foetor ex ore h ad more severe disease than those without.