ABSTRACT
Halitosis or oral malodor is an offensive odor originating from the oral cavity, leading
to anxiety and psychosocial embarrassment. A patient with halitosis is most likely
to contact primary care practitioner for the diagnosis and management. With proper
diagnosis, identification of the etiology and timely referrals certain steps are taken
to create a successful individualized therapeutic approach for each patient seeking
assistance. It is significant to highlight the necessity of an interdisciplinary method
for the treatment of halitosis to prevent misdiagnosis or unnecessary treatment. The
literature on halitosis, especially with randomized clinical trials, is scarce and
additional studies are required. This article succinctly focuses on the development
of a systematic flow of events to come to the best management of the halitosis from
the primary care practitioner's point of view.
Key words:
Diagnosis - etiology - halitosis - management
