Caries and periodontal disease: halitosis: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Caries and periodontal disease: halitosis

Sample item

What is the most common cause of persistent bad breath?

AOral anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulphur compoundsBGastric ulcerCDiabetic ketosisDLung abscess

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Oral anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulphur compounds

Most halitosis originates in the mouth from anaerobic breakdown of proteins on the tongue dorsum and in periodontal pockets, releasing hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan. Systemic causes are far less common.

Option by option

A. Oral anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulphur compounds (correct)
Correct. Oral bacterial metabolism is the commonest cause.
B. Gastric ulcer
Gastric causes are uncommon.
C. Diabetic ketosis
Ketosis gives a fruity breath odour only in uncontrolled diabetes.
D. Lung abscess
Lung abscess is a rare cause.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Oral anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulphur compounds. Most halitosis originates in the mouth from anaerobic breakdown of proteins on the tongue dorsum and in periodontal pockets, releasing hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan.

Why is "Gastric ulcer" not the answer?

Gastric causes are uncommon.

Why is "Diabetic ketosis" not the answer?

Ketosis gives a fruity breath odour only in uncontrolled diabetes.

Why is "Lung abscess" not the answer?

Lung abscess is a rare cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries and periodontal disease: halitosis in Dentistry. Systemic causes are far less common.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Caries and periodontal disease: halitosis?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.