Relationship of oral malodor to periodontitis: Evidence of independence in discrete sub populations
The objectives of this study were to examine quantitatively the association between oral malodor and periodontitis and to assess the relationship between measurement of volatile sulphur compound (VSC) and bacteria on the tongue and dental sites. One hundred and thirty-three subjects were evaluated beginning with baseline measurements. One hundred and seven subjects received second and third appointments, which were held at intervals of approximately one week and at approximately the same time of day. Following the second appointment, subjects were instructed to rinse with a 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse two times per day for one week to assess the decrease in odor intensity due to microbial activity. This rinse was done following brushing of the tongue and occurred between week 2 and week 3 measurements. Several methods of malodor assessment were performed in addition to periodontal and salivary measurements. Results indicate there was a significant correlation between tongue odor and peak VSC levels and between tongue odor and whole-mouth organoleptic measures. It was found that one week of rinsing with CHX reduced peak VSC levels. On the other hand, the presence of periodontal disease parameters was not associated with VSC levels. [P.W.]
Bosy, A., G.V. Kulkarni M. Rosexnberg and C.A. G. McCulloch, J Periodont, 65:37,1994