Comparison of halitosis parameters and sialometry between patients subjected to head and neck radiotherapy and patients with periodontal disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate halitosis parameters and sialometry in patients subjectedto head and neck radiotherapy compared to patients with periodontal disease, establishing arelationship between oral concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and tongue coatingpresence, salivary flow rate and BANATM test. Methods: Thirty-eight patients were examinedand divided into 2 groups: group I: patients with chronic generalized periodontal disease previouslydiagnosed and not treated; group II: patients subjected to head and neck radiotherapy. All volunteerswere subjected to halitosis measurements through a sulphide monitor, evaluation of tongue coatingweight, stimulated and non-stimulated sialometry and BANATM test. Results: The results wereanalyzed by analysis of the variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Student’s t-test, showingthat both groups presented halitosis. There was also a relationship between tongue coatingpresence and VSC levels in both groups and the irradiated patients showed lower salivary flowrates. Conclusions: Under the tested conditions, it may be concluded that halitosis can beconsidered as an adverse effect of radiotherapy, associated with low salivary flow and poor oralhealth, which seems to be the main contribution to bad breath, since patients with periodontaldisease also showed halitosis.