Halitosis, oral malodor, bad breath, are often used as synonyms for breath malodor.

Breath malodor is the subjective perception resulting from smelling someone's breath. It can be pleasant, but often unpleasant or even disturbing if not repulsive. It is not synonymous with oral malodor since the latter evidently has its origins in the oral cavity while, as we will see, this is sometimes not the cause for all breath malodors.

Breath malodor should also not be confused with the disturbing odor caused momentarily by some food or drug intakes, like tobacco or garlic. The latter does not indicate a health problem, although it can cause a social problem. The same is true for early morning breath malodor, which most people experience at wake-up. The decreased salivary flow and increased putrefaction during the night contribute to breath malodor, which soon disappears after breakfast or oral hygiene.

Persistent breath odor reflects some pathology. It is a considerable social and/or health problem. It appears that there is no gender predominance and that age varies from less than 10 to over 80 years old. It is striking that the majority of patients complain about breath malodor for several years before seeking proper advice. Although oral causes are identified in the vast majority (nearly 90%) of such patients, ENT (8%) and other etiologies (5%) cannot be disregarded. The present book aims to familiarize health professionals with the practical management of such patients.