Child halitosis: collaboration between paediatrician and pedodontist

Abstract

Infant halitosis or breath is a relatively minor health problem, often overlooked by a young child, but discovered by chance by his or her parents or close relatives. It mainly corresponds to the emission of nauseating volatile sulphide compounds, mainly hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan. Although 85% of cases are oral, the loco-regional and general causes of bad breath must be investigated and identified. Several classifications have been proposed in the literature, so we adopt halitosis in three categories: physiological, pathological and subjective. The management of this pathology is usually multidisciplinary, it should be the subject of a collaboration between the pedodontist and other medical disciplines such as paediatrics, O.R.L., gastroenterology, internal medicine and psychiatry.