Relation between Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Mouth Air and Clinical Status in Patients Complaining of Oral Malodor

• Published in: Nihon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi (Journal of the Japanese Society of Periodontology) Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 302 - 311
• Main Authors: Makino, Fumiko, Setoguchi, Takashi, Seto, Yasuhiro, Kameyama, Hidekazu, Sueda, Takeshi, Yotsumoto, Yukiharu, Izumi, Yuichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JAPANESE SOCIETY OF PERIODONTOLOGY 1999
• Subjects: gas chromatography; oral malodor; periodontal disease; tongue coating; volatile sulfur compounds
• ISSN: 0385-0110; 1880-408X
• DOI: 10.2329/perio.41.302

Three volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) including hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide in mouth air were estimated by gas chromatography in 194 subjects complaining of halitosis. Mouth air odor, tongue dorsum odor, and nose air odor were also estimated by organoleptic methods. The relations between oral malodor and clinical parameters (the amounts of tongue coating, probing depth, gingival index, and plaque index) were also examined. There were significant correlations between each VSC level and each organoleptic odor score. The correlation of nose odor score to each VSC level was lower than that of mouth odor score or tongue odor score. In the multiple regression models, only methyl mercaptan had a significant independent effect on mouth air odor and tongue dorsum odor. There were significant correlations between each VSC level and each clinical parameter. In the multiple regression analysis, tongue coating and gingival index showed a significant independent effect on hydrogen sulfide; tongue coating, probing depth, and gingival index showed asignificant independent effect on methyl mercaptan ; and probing depth and tongue coating showed a significant independent effect on dimethyl sulfide. All clinical parameters showed independent effecton the mouth odor score. The effect of tongue coating was greater than that of gingival index, probing depth, and plaque index. These results show that the measurement of VSC is useful in estimation of oral malodor, and that the relationship of tongue coating and periodontal disease to oral malodor can be demonstrated. J. Jpn. Soc. Periodontol., 41: 302-312, 1999.