Daily variation of oral malodour and related factors in community-dwelling elderly Thai.

OBJECTIVES

The purposes of this study were (i) to estimate the prevalence of oral malodour, (ii) to evaluate the daily variation of oral malodour and (iii) to assess associations of volatile sulphur compound (VSC) concentrations with socio-demographics, health behaviours and oral health status in community-dwelling elderly Thai.

METHODS

The subjects were 428 dentate elderly people (67.6 ± 5.6 years) living in Phitsaulok, Thailand. Information on their socio-demographics, general health and health behaviours was obtained by a questionnaire. Their dental condition, periodontal status and tongue coating were clinically examined. Their flow rates and the pH of unstimulated saliva were also assessed. Oral malodour was measured at four different times of day using an Oral Chroma™.

RESULTS

The proportions of subjects diagnosed with oral malodour using the thresholds of H(2)S, CH(3)SH and (CH(3))(2) S were 60.5%, 62.9% and 80.7%, respectively. Concentrations of H(2)S showed significant daily variation. Linear regression analysis demonstrated the following significant associations: (i) oral malodour from H(2)S and thickness of the tongue coating, (ii) oral malodour from CH(3)SH and periodontal pocket depth of 5 mm or more and the presence of gingival bleeding and (iii) oral malodour from (CH(3))(2)S and systemic disease, medications and thickness of the tongue coating.

DISCUSSION: Oral malodour was shown to be prevalent among the elderly. Daily variation was observed in the concentration of H(2)S. Tongue coating, periodontal disease, systemic diseases and medications were related to oral malodour. Therefore, these factors should be taken into consideration in oral malodour treatment and prevention programmes for the elderly.