Abstract

CONCEICAO, Maurício Duarte da; GIUDICE, Fernanda Salgueiredo  and  MAROCCHIOIII, Luciana Sassa. Psychopathological profile and behavioral alterations in patients with halitosis complaint: a review. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. [online]. 2014, vol.68, n.1, pp. 14-21. ISSN 0004-5276.

The present study aims to analyze through a review of the literature two important aspects of halitosis treatment: psychopathological profile and behavioral alterations in patients with halitosis complaint. Materials and Methods: it was performed a literature search using books about halitosis treatment and scientific articles from online databases (PubMed and Bireme), published between 1957 and 2014. Reports of patients with bad breath as well as patients with halitosis complaint, with no evidence of having it, were included in the research. Data synthesis: halitosis has been associated with several psychopathologies, such as social anxiety disorder (SAD), specific phobia, olfactory reference syndrome, dysmorphophobia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Another important aspect mentioned in the literature is that patients complaining of bad breath often develop behavioral changes due to, e.g., suffer from the problem during long periods without reporting it to anyone, or because they have a strong conviction in having bad breath, when in reality they don't have it. Conclusion: Both patients with real halitosis as patients with complaint of bad breath, but without evidences of its presence, are candidates for halitosis treatment, which essential goals are to restore a pleasant breath and patient's security. Important publications highlight that halitosis treatment protocols should include a psychological approach, directed especially for SAD. For refractory cases, in which patients' insecurity is difficult to deal with, there is an indication for referral to psychologists and/or psychiatrists targeting for multidisciplinary treatment.

Keywords : psychopathology; self concept; phobic disorders; clinical protocols; halitosis.