Levels of volatile sulfur compounds and the analysis of related factors in oral cavities of 384 health subjects in Chengdu / 华西口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of oral malodor in a group of health cohorts in Chengdu, China by using different diagnostic methods.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) level was evaluated by using Halimeter. The organoleptic score and tongue coating index were also evaluated. A questionnaire interview was conducted at the same time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 21.61% subjects whose oral VSCs level were more than 300 ppb. No significant difference was found between male and female for the VSCs values. The subjects with malodor (score > or = 6) evaluated by organoleptic score were 28.91%, and the difference between the male and female was significant (P < 0.05). Further, a significant correlation could be detected between the VSCs level, organoleptic score and tongue coating index (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study indicates that nearly one of fourth people suffer from oral malodor. Malodor has significant correlation with tongue coating, so cleaning of tongue dorsum is very important to reduce oral malodor.</p>