A scientometric study on research trends and characteristics of halitosis.

Background/purpose: Halitosis is a condition characterized by unpleasant odors originating from the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of halitosis. Materials and methods: All the papers on halitosis were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. The years of publication were divided into before 2015 and after 2015 in the analysis of research trends. Results: There were 1252 papers on halitosis, with total citations of 26,932 and the h index of 76. Poor oral hygiene, periodontitis, periodontal disease, gingivitis, dental caries, xerostomia, periodontics, and smoking were halitosis-related conditions. The trend of clinical investigations has changed to prospective study, single blind procedure, tongue coating, complication, sensation, and quality of life after 2015. The trend of treatment, mainly drug therapy such as antiinfective agent, cetylpyridinium salt, chewing gum, zinc, and triclosan before 2015, has changed to photodynamic therapy, plant extract, and probiotic agent after 2015. Moreover, the trend of laboratory investigation has changed to biological marker, genetics, microbiome, and microflora after 2015. There have always been common keywords such as controlled study, mouth hygiene, sulfur compounds, hydrogen sulfide, microbiology, breath analysis, mouthwash, questionnaire, breath tests, and gas chromatography. Conclusion: This scientometric study elucidated the current scenario and research trends of halitosis, and would help in improving in reciprocal collaboration and communication for investigations on this condition.