HALITOSIS

Halitosis means foul smelling breath. The usual cause is either poor oral hygiene or a lung abscess, which still produces halitosis when the patient exhales through the nose.

Metronidazole 250mg to 500mg 3 times a day is active against anerobes and is useful in reducing halitosis due to gingivitis or lung abscess.

Increase routine oral hygiene to every hour if necessary. Treat oral thrush. Dentures should be removed at night. Obtain dental treatment as required for caries, gingivitis, etc. (see Candidiasis, Mouth Care)

Gentle mouthwashes and oral rinses are useful if there is oropharyngeal malignancy. Sodium bicarbonate applied with swabs will remove debris and is less unpleasant than hydrogen peroxide mouthwash.

Oral deodorants (chlorophyll tablets) can be helpful but are short-acting.

The author and publisher have taken precautions to ensure that the information in this book is error-free. However, readers must be guided by their own personal and professional standards of good practice in evaluating and applying recommendations made herein. The contents of this book represent the views and experience of the author, and not necessarily those of the publisher.