Halitosis Management

Causes of Halitosis

Rhinosinusitis and allergic and non-allergic rhinitis can cause halitosis due to postnasal drainage, as noted by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 1, 2
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder that can cause halitosis, as reported by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 3

When halitosis persists despite good oral hygiene and treatment of oral conditions, consider non-oral causes, and evaluate for symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis, or respiratory conditions, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 4
Systemic conditions should be considered if other symptoms are present in addition to halitosis, as suggested by the American College of Physicians 4

For non-oral causes, treat rhinosinusitis with appropriate antibiotics for bacterial sinusitis, as recommended by the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 1, 4
Manage allergic rhinitis with antihistamines and nasal steroids, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 2
Xerostomia, a condition associated with dry mouth, can be caused by various factors including medication, systemic conditions, and other factors, as noted by the European Urology guidelines 5, 6, 7, 8
Specific causes of xerostomia include:
Xerostomia can significantly impact quality of life and health outcomes, causing difficulty with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and tasting, as well as increasing the risk of dental caries and oral infections, as noted by the European Urology guidelines 7
Management of xerostomia includes identifying and addressing the underlying cause, using salivary substitutes for symptomatic relief, and implementing rigorous oral hygiene and preventive dental care, as recommended by the American Geriatrics Society and the European Urology guidelines 5, 6, 7