Halitosis is a medical term for which condition?

• A. Bad breath
• B. Toothache
• C. Gingivitis
• D. Mouth ulcers

Answer: (A)

Halitosis is the medical term for persistent bad breath. This is why the correct choice is the one describing bad breath—it names the exact condition halitosis refers to. The other options point to different problems: toothache is pain in a tooth, gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, and mouth ulcers are sores in the mouth. In practice, halitosis can come from factors such as tongue coating, dental plaque, gum disease, dry mouth, or certain foods and habits; managing it involves good oral hygiene, tongue cleaning, staying hydrated, and treating any dental disease. If halitosis persists despite good oral care, it may have non-oral causes and should be evaluated.