Methods of diagnosis and causes of bad breath

Methods of diagnosis

There are various methods for indicating or confirming the presence of halitosis. The most reliable diagnosis combines two or more of the following methods:

Self-perception

This method involves a person’s own acknowledgement or interpretation of a negative olfactory stimuli when smelling their own exhaled air. This method is not very reliable as it is often the case that people suffering from bad breath are unaware that they do so.

Organoleptic tests

This method involves measuring a person’s mouth odour based on a third party’s sense of smell, who are called “judges” or human assessors. This method is also unreliable as the results can be influenced by various physiological and psychological factors, such as expectations or concentration levels.

Breath gas analysis

This method involves an objective analysis of the exhaled air using equipment designed to analyse specific gases. These can be sulphurous gas sensor instruments or gas chromatography devices.

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests use a variety of specific techniques to indirectly detect the presence of breath compounds, including but not limited to: the BANA test, chemical sensors, β-galactosidase tests, salivary incubation tests, ammonium monitoring, the ninhydrin method and Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Concept

We talk about halitosis open and accessible way, so that you can understand medical terminology that scientists use.

1. What is halitosis?
2. Physical and social consequences
3. Bad breath through the ages

Causes

The Breath Institute has discovered, on the basis of the latest international research, that there are over 80 possible causes of halitosis.

1. The composition of halitosis (bad breath)
2. Causes of halitosis (bad breath)
2.1 Oral causes
2.2 Respiratory causes
2.3 Digestive causes
2.4 Systemic causes, diet and habits
2.5 Neuropsychological causes

Diagnosis

We identify the most effective clinical methods when diagnosing precisely the halitosis’ origin, so that you can chose the best treatment.

1. Methods of diagnosis
1.1 Self-perception
1.2 Organoleptic tests
1.3 Breath gas measurement
1.4 Laboratory tests
2. Psychological tests
3. Signs and associated symptoms

Medical library:

CAUSES