Reduction of oral malodor by oxidizing lozenges

J Periodontol. 1997 Dec;68(12):1176-81. doi: 10.1902/jop.1997.68.12.1176.

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to examine the anti-malodor properties of oxidizing lozenges, as compared to breath mints and chewing gum. Healthy, young adult volunteers (N = 123; mean age 24.5 years) were measured for oral malodor-related parameters (whole mouth odor measured by 2 judges; tongue dorsum posterior odor using the spoon test; volatile sulphide levels; salivary levels of cadaverine and putrescine; and 2 versions of an oral rinse test) on the first afternoon of the study. They were then assigned randomly to one of 6 groups (2 brands of breath mints, chewing gum with no active ingredients, regular and full-strength oxidizing lozenges, and a no-treatment control), and instructed to employ the treatment before bedtime, the next morning, and in the early afternoon 3 hours prior to measurements, which were carried out 24 hours following baseline measurements. Volunteers also estimated the level of their own whole mouth and tongue odors at baseline and post-treatment. The data showed that, among treatments, only the full-strength oxidizing lozenge significantly reduced tongue dorsum malodor, as determined by the spoon test. The full-strength lozenge also yielded a significant increase in the modified oral rinse test, presumably due, at least in part, to residual oxidizing activity retained in the oral cavity. Self-estimations of whole mouth and tongue malodor by volunteers were significantly correlated with corresponding-judge assessments, suggesting some degree of objectivity in assessing one's own oral malodor.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cadaverine / analysis
  • Chewing Gum
  • Coloring Agents
  • Female
  • Halitosis / metabolism
  • Halitosis / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Lamiaceae
  • Male
  • Methylene Blue
  • Mouth / metabolism
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Oxidants / administration & dosage
  • Oxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Putrescine / analysis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Self-Assessment
  • Smell / physiology
  • Sulfides / analysis
  • Tablets
  • Tongue / metabolism

Substances

  • Chewing Gum
  • Coloring Agents
  • Oxidants
  • Sulfides
  • Tablets
  • Cadaverine
  • Methylene Blue
  • Putrescine