真实的口臭发病率尚不可知。很多研究对于口臭的定义及分类并不明确,主要是主观性自我判断,很难根据现有数据评估发病率。现有数据显示口臭普遍存在,任何年龄都可出现。尽管有报道发病率高达50%,多数研究报道人群中口臭发病率为20%-40%。[1]Sanz M, Roldan S, Herrera D. Fundamentals of breath malodour. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2001;2:1-17.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12167916?tool=bestpractice.com[2]Yaegaki K, Coil JM. Examination, classification, and treatment of halitosis: clinical perspectives. J Can Dent Assoc. 2000;66:257-261.http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-66/issue-5/257.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10833869?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Tessier JF, Kulkarni GV. Bad breath: etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Oral Health. 1991;81:19-22, 24.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1824429?tool=bestpractice.com[10]Rosenberg M, Knaan T, Cohen D. Association among bad breath, body mass index, and alcohol intake. J Dent Res. 2007;86:997-1000.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17890678?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Porter SR, Scully C. Oral malodour (halitosis). BMJ. 2006;333:632-635.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16990322?tool=bestpractice.com