Journal of Dental Medicine

Statement of Problem: Halitosis refers to the unpleasant mouth odor leading to problems for the patient and his associates. Dentists with enough knowledge about the halitosis incidence with oral causes are able to plan and prevent it effectively.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the rate of halitosis incidence with oral causes among high school and guidance schoolgirls aged 13-17 years old in Ghazvin. Moreover, the relationship between some etiologic factors such oral hygiene, coated tongue with unpleasant mouth odor was investigated.

Material and Methods: The number of 700 female students, aged 13-17 years old was studied and 14 factors were recorded on a questionnaire for each subject. The related data were collected through direct clinical examination.
Results: The incidence of halitosis in this population was 28.9%. In addition, mouth odor was significantly associated with independent variables such as gingivitis, coated tongue, systemic disease and taking medicine,consumption odor producing materials and the level of oral hygiene.
Conclusion: The most important factor causing malodor was poor oral hygiene. Also in other investigations gingivitis, coated tongue, tonsilitis, dental calculus and malocclusion were diagnosed as the most important causes for oral halitosis.