What Happens at a Halitosis Test?

A complete medical history

1. An interview is completed. You will be asked: when, how long, and how regularly you have seen a breath problem. 
2. Complete periodontal charting. One purpose for this is that if you have a periodontal infection the odor will be coming from the periodontal pockets.
3. X-ray examination to control out any obvious problems that could be creating an odor problem. These include food traps, open contracts, open margins, poorly fitting fillings, fistulas, impactions, dry mouth, pocketing, plaque buildup, and tongue layer. 
4. Special instructions will be given before your office visit such as:

• Do not brush, floss, or use mouthwash for 12 hours preceding your appointment.
• No food or drink, except water for 5 hours before the appointment. 
• Tobacco and alcohol products must not be used for 12 hours.
• Onions, garlic, and cabbage are forbidden for 48 hours. These foods have odors that are picked up by the blood system and are exhaled through the lungs for several days after a meal.
• Do not use antibiotics for 3 weeks to not artificially change the micro-organism population in the body. 
• Perfumes, aftershave, and other scents are discouraged.

    5. Two ways can be used to determine odor at exam time:

• Use of the doctor's nose. An increase in VSC's (volatile sulfur compounds) will produce a characteristic unpleasant odor, the evaluation of which can be developed through experience and repetition. 
• A Halimeter can be used which measured volatile sulfur compounds in parts per billion. Readings below 100ppb are not detectable by the average human nose and are considered "normal". Above 100 ppb, a noticeable odor begins to build 300-400 ppb, the unpleasant odor can be smelled from several feet away.