A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF HALITOSIS RESEARCH IN THAILAND

Abstract

Halitosis is a common oral health problem encountered in daily life that adversely affects quality of life, self-confidence during communication, and social interactions. A systematic review of the literature indicated that halitosis has been reported across all age groups in Thailand, with a prevalence of approximately 31.8% among adolescents and adults. Despite the increasing number of studies on halitosis, no comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence in Thailand has been conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the literature on halitosis research conducted in Thailand, including the prevalence of halitosis, associated factors, assessment methods, and management strategies. A systematic literature search was performed using Thai academic databases and relevant reference lists. Studies were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 1,582 records were identified, and six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The findings revealed that most studies focused on the halitosis management. Instrument-based assessment, particularly using halitosis measurement Oral Chroma, was the most employed method. Herbal remedies and oral hygiene practices, especially tongue cleaning, were frequently reported as effective approaches for reducing microbial accumulation on the tongue dorsum and alleviating oral malodor. This systematic review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence regarding the epidemiology, contributing factors, assessment methods, and management of halitosis in Thailand. The findings provide valuable evidence to support future research, oral health promotion strategies, and the development of more effective approaches for halitosis assessment and management.

Keywords: Halitosis, Oral Chroma™, Oral Health, Systematic Review, Thailand