The tongue

Tongue scheme with papillae
  • The irregular and deeply fissured surface provides favourable conditions to support bacterial growth (Quirynen et al. 2002b).
  • Other parts of the mouth may also contribute to halitosis, but not as common as the back of the tongue.
  • These locations include interdental and subgingival niches, imperfect dental restorations, food impactions, abscesses and unclean dentures (Scully & Rosenberg 2003).