Oral malodor
The reported prevalence of oral malodor varies, but it has been estimated that up to 50% of the adult population suffers with this problem at some time [Porter & Scully 2006; Yaegaki, 1989] and for as many as 25% of adults oral malodor is a severe, chronic complaint. [Bosy et al., 1997] Studies suggest that the majority of adults suffer with oral malodor at least occasionally, usually immediately after waking or after consuming certain types of foods. [Spielman et al., 1996]
Whilst malodor can be a result of digestive or metabolic disorders, for 9 out of 10 people the cause of their oral malodor originates in the mouth [Rosenberg et al, 2002; Delanghe et al., 1997] and results from bacterial activity which produces volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide.
