Modelling oral malodour in a longitudinal study.
The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro model of the tongue microflora in order to assess anti-malodour compounds before clinical evaluation. Biofilms, derived from the tongue microflora, were grown in a constant depth film fermentor (CDFF) with nutrients supplied in the form of mucin- and serum-containing artificial saliva. Differential agars and a halimeter were used to determine the bacterial microflora and production of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), respectively. The resulting biofilms had a bacterial population which contained, on average, 29% streptococci, 48% Gram-negative anaerobes and 2.5% with an H2S-producing phenotype. When the biofilms were pulsed with either chlorhexidine or zinc acetate there was a reduction in the number of H2S-producing bacteria, however these counts subsequently recovered as pulsing continued. The generation of VSCs was correlated to the viable counts of the H2S-producing bacteria. By pulsing with anti-malodour compounds over time we observed a reduction in the quantity of VSCs produced and a change in the composition of the plaque to one which contained fewer H2S-producing bacteria.
Pratten
J
J
Division of Infection and Immunity, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK. jpratten@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
Pasu
M
M
Jackson
G
G
Flanagan
A
A
Wilson
M
M
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D006209:Halitosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D014059:Tongue / Q000382:microbiology*; D019345:Zinc Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D019345:Zinc Acetate; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide