Concerning perceived and clinically-measured levels of halitosis.

The different types of self-reported halitosis complaints include those where one feels that one's breath smells bad, where one feels that one has bad breath because of the attitudes of others, and where others have pointed out the presence of bad breath. The results of previous studies comparing the objective and subjectives measures of halitosis are inconsistent, and few studies have used gas chromatography (GC) to measure halitosis in a large sample. This study aimed to examine the objectively measured halitosis levels based on the reasons individuals are concerned about halitosis. We included 2063 patients who visited the halitosis clinic at a university dental hospital. Halitosis was assessed using GC, self-administered questionnaires, and oral examinations. Levels of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs; H2S, CH3SH, and (CH3)2S) were set as objective measures of halitosis. Patients were grouped based on their answers to 'What made you concerned about bad breath?' into groups: 'self-perceived,' 'attitudes of others,' 'told by others,' and other reasons. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with VSCs and objective halitosis levels. Age, sex, oral health status, smoking, drinking, and breakfast habits were used as confounders. Patients who answered 'told by others' (n= 691, 33.5%) showed the highest VSCs. Individuals whose halitosis was pointed out by others had higher objectively measured halitosis levels, while those concerned about the attitudes of others or perceived their own halitosis had lower objectively measured halitosis levels. These results suggest that the objective level of halitosis can differ on the basis of the reason underlying an individual's concern about their bad breath. Categorizing halitosis complaints and comparing them with objective halitosis levels may help reduce the anxiety of those who are concerned about halitosis and confirm the need for intervention for those with objective halitosis.

Associations of the number of remaining natural teeth and oral health behaviors with subjective chewing problems based on the Thailand National Oral Health Survey 2017.

PURPOSE: Few studies have examined the association of oral health behaviors with chewing ability.This study aimed to investigate the associations between the number of remaining natural teeth and oral health behaviors with subjective chewing ability among older Thai adults. METHODS: Analysis was carried out using data from the 8th Thailand National Oral Health Survey. Subjective chewing problems were assessed using self-reported questionnaires, and the number of remaining teeth by oral examination. Poisson regression with sampling weights was used to calculate the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for having chewing problems. RESULTS: Of the 2,310 participants (mean age, 67.2 ± 4.5 years), 53.3% had chewing problems. After adjusting for all covariates, significantly higher PRs for having chewing problems were observed among the participants without interdental cleaning (PR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.65), without night-time brushing (PR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25), who were edentulous (PR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.31), had urgent dental treatment within the past 12 months (PR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.24), and who brushed for <2 min (PR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20). CONCLUSION: The number of remaining natural teeth and oral health behaviors were significantly associated with subjective chewing problems.

Inequalities in Periodontal Disease According to Insurance Schemes in Thailand.

Few studies have considered the effects of insurance on periodontal disease. We aimed to investigate the association between insurance schemes and periodontal disease among adults, using Thailand's National Oral Health Survey (2017) data. A modified Community Periodontal Index was used to measure periodontal disease. Insurance schemes were categorized into the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS), Social Security Scheme (SSS), and "others". Poisson regression was applied to estimate the prevalence ratios (PRs) of insurance schemes for periodontal disease, with adjustment for age, gender, residential location, education attainment, and income. The data of 4534 participants (mean age, 39.6 ± 2.9 years; 2194 men, 2340 women) were analyzed. The proportions of participants with gingivitis or periodontitis were 87.6% and 25.9%, respectively. In covariate adjusted models, lowest education (PRs, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) and UCS (PRs, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08) yielded significantly higher PRs for gingivitis, whereas lowest education (PRs, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05-1.37) and UCS (PRs, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.34) yielded substantially higher PRs for periodontitis. Insurance schemes may be social predictors of periodontal disease. For better oral health, reduced insurance inequalities are required to increase access to regular dental visits and utilization in Thailand.