Prevalence and Perceived Causes of Halitosis among Young Adults

Background: Halitosis is a common oral health condition with multifactorial etiology, impacting social interactions, self-esteem, and quality of life. Despite its prevalence, awareness and preventive behaviors among young adults remain inadequately studied. Objective: To assess the awareness, perceived causes, preventive practices, and social attitudes toward halitosis among young adults in Chennai. Methods: A descriptive, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 101 participants using a pre-validated structured questionnaire covering demographics, general awareness, causes, habits, medical and dental understanding, dietary habits, lifestyle, social impact, and dental care practices. Data were collected electronically via Google Forms and analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages. Results: Overall awareness was moderate; 55.4% correctly identified halitosis, while 75.2% recognized poor oral hygiene as a primary cause. Preventive knowledge was adequate, but only 41.6% had visited a dentist in the past six months. Temporary masking solutions were commonly relied upon, and misconceptions regarding systemic causes persisted. Social attitudes were largely positive, with participants open to discussing halitosis. Conclusion: Awareness of halitosis exists among young adults, yet gaps in knowledge, preventive behavior, and understanding of systemic associations highlight the need for targeted educational interventions