Distribution and relating factors of physiological mouth odor intensity among students in a vocational school

Abstract

Mouth odor intensities of 30 healthy female students belonging to a vocational school were measured using a portable sulfide monitor for detection of volatile sulfur compounds, which were the main contributors of oral malodor. Then, a distribution of mouth odor intensities was analyzed. And a questionnaire relating to oral malodor was answered by the same subjects.

The results were as follows.

1. Mouth odor intensities of all subjects showed a wide and irregular distribution ranging from low values to high values. Then, the over half of the subjects had strong mouth odor. The mouth odor intensities were confirmed to change with the time, because the intensities tended to increase as refraining the oral activity more longer.

2.There was a positive correlation between the tongue coating score and the mouth odor intensity.The intensities of subjects in which tongue coating adhered widely to the tongue dorsum surface were high.

3.The clinical indices except for the tongue coating score and questionnaire items on lifestyle habit were not related with the mouth odor intensity、 Based on these results, patients who make oral malodor to be a chief complaint must be diagnosed, treated, and offered health guidance. And it is important to be careful of the condition before mouth odor measurement. Furthermore, research seems to be necessary on the effects of other factors for mouth odor intensity, and on some factors which promote the adhesion of tongue coating.