Halitosis and periodontal disease in subjects with mental disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between halitosis, presence of N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide (BANA) positive activity (indicative of Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis) and periodontal conditions in subjects with mental disabilities.


METHODS
The population consisted of 17 Down syndrome (DS), 17 mentally retarded (MR) and 17 mentally healthy subjects (MH) - control group. A portable sulfide monitor was used to measure the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) found in the mouth. Clinical parameters [Plaque Index (PlI), Probing Depth (PD), Bleeding on Probing (BOP)] were obtained from six reference teeth. Subgingival plaque samples for BANA Test were taken from the same six teeth and dorsum of the tongue.


RESULTS
PlI and BOP were higher in DS than in MR and MH, respectively (P < 0.05). Mean PD was similar between DS and healthy groups but it was higher than the MR group. No significant differences were found among the three groups regarding the presence of BANA positive species, however the VSC levels were significantly lower in DS (97.23 ppb) than in MR (203.23 ppb) and MH individuals (180.53 ppb).


CONCLUSIONS
Even though the presence of BANA positive activity was similar among DS, MR and MH subjects, halitosis seemed to be lower in the DS group.
Figueiredo
L C
LC
Dental Research and Graduate Studies Division, Department of Periodontics, Guarulhos University, São Paulo - SP, Brazil.
Feres
M
M
Salvador
S L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001587:Benzoylarginine-2-Naphthylamide; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D014059:Tongue / Q000382:microbiology
D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D001587:Benzoylarginine-2-Naphthylamide