Title : Oral Malodour in Denture Wearers
Abstract:
Oral malodour may be considered a substantial concern for a sizeable percentage of the general population and as such it is important for clinicians to identify the causes of oral malodour, in order to treat the problem effectively. For example, it has been estimated that the number of patients with oral malodour visiting their dentists indicate that 40%-50% of dentists would encounter 6-7 patients with a self-diagnosed halitosis (Dent Econ, 1995). It is of utmost importance therefore for the clinician to identify the causes and pre-disposing factors of oral malodour to effectively treat the problem. According to Suzuki et al. (2008) oral malodour may be caused by periodontal disease, inadequate oral hygiene, tongue debris, deep caries, inadequately fitted restorations, endodontic lesions, limited salivary flow (Suzuki et al. 2008). Oral Malodour associated with partial and complete denture wearers, however, has been somewhat ignored by the dental profession although there is a perception that oral malodour is a concern for those wearing dentures. The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview for clinicians on the presence and perception of oral malodour (halitosis) in patients wearing removable partial or complete dentures. The presentation will also provide an overview of the various techniques and subjective assessments used in the diagnosis and treatment of Oral Malodour as well as the impact on the quality of life in patients wearing dentures.
