Comparison between self-perceived and clinical oral malodor

Objectives. The aims were to compare self-perceived with clinical oral malodor and to examine risk factors of oral malodor. Study Design. The study was performed on 565 dental patients. Information on sociodemographics, dental health behavior, and self-perceived oral malodor was collected. Clinical oral malodor, oral health status, and the proteolytic activity of the N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthilamide (BANA) test in tongue coating were assessed. Results. The sensitivity and specificity of self-perceived oral malodor were 47.2% and 59.2%, respectively. Risk factors for self-perceived oral malodor were smoking habit and alcohol consumption, whereas those for clinical oral malodor were level of education, dental visit frequency, tongue-brushing frequency, mouth rinse use, deep periodontal pockets, gingivitis, tongue coating, and a high BANA test score. Conclusions. Self-perception was considered an invalid method of judging one's own oral malodor. Factors related to self-perceived oral malodor were different from those found in clinical oral malodor. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;113:70-80)