Abstract

Unpleasant breath smell also known as bad breath, oral malodor, mouth odor and/or factor oris can transform into a troublesome issue impacting individual’s social correspondence alongside self-confidence. Besides, it turns into a discomforting issue for people around the impacted individual, as on grounds it is thought of as embarrassing to illuminate the individual in regards to the issue. Aim: this study was designed to evaluate the insight, introspection and intellectualism i.e. self-perception, knowledge and awareness of Kashmiri population about halitosis and its treatment plan. Material and Methodology: a six-month survey was conducted on randomized 200 subjects aged between 13 to 60 years, visiting the private clinic in Srinagar, Kashmir and were asked to fill a self-administered questionnaire form containing 13 questions. The answers were collected and analyzed statistically using SPSS software and chi-square test was done to evaluate the association. Results: the results were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Statistically non-significant results were obtained when parameters asked where correlated with respect to gender with a higher predilection towards females. When correlated with education and socio-economic status statistically significant results were obtained with more awareness among graduates and postgraduates and participants living in middle and upper class. Conclusion: within the limitations of the investigation a low insight, introspection and intellectualism was observed among the male study population regarding halitosis while females were much more aware and intellectual about the cause and treatment plan of the same. Dentists are known to play a major role in informing and educating their patients regarding maintenance of oral hygiene including tongue cleaning.