A Study on the Relationship Between Oral Malodor and Periodontal Disease / 대한치주과학회지

ABSTRACT

Putrefactive activity within the oral cavity is the principal cause of halitosis. The most common intraoral sites of oral malodor production are tongue, interdental and subgingival areas. The other foci may include faulty restorations, sites of food impaction and abscesses. Periodontal disease frequently involves pathological oral malodor, which is caused mainly by volatile sulfur compounds(VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between oral malodor and periodontal status. Volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air were estimated by portable sulfide monitor(Halimeter(TM)). The results were as follows 1.The levels of volatile sulfur compounds were significantly greater in a periodontitis group than in a control group(P0.05). 3.In the periodontitis group, VSC concentrations of pre-treatment significantly decreased after scaling and root planing(P<0.01). 4.No statistically significant correlation was found between VSC concentrations and sex / age in the periodontitis group. The above results indicate that periodontal disease may play a role as an important factor of oral malodor and deep periodontal pockets are a source of volatile sulfur compounds.