Association among bad breath, body mass index, and alcohol intake.
Bad breath is a common condition, difficult to assess in the general population. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a self-administered questionnaire can help identify factors associated with greater risk of oral malodor. Persons (n = 88) undergoing routine medical check-ups completed a questionnaire including 38 questions on general and oral health, dietary habits, and their own oral malodor levels. Oral malodor assessments included odor judge scores, volatile sulfide levels (via a Halimeter, Interscan Corp.), and salivary beta-galactosidase. Among the questionnaire results, 9 responses were significantly associated with odor judge scores (p < 0.05, unpaired t test), including questions on alcohol intake and body mass index (BMI). Predictions of odor judge scores based on these 9 questions (linear multiple regression analysis) yielded R = 0.601; when introduced together with Halimeter and beta-galactosidase scores, the correlation rose to R = 0.843. The results suggest that alcohol intake and BMI may be factors that help predict oral malodor.
Rosenberg
M
M
Department of Oral Biology, Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. melros@post.tau.ac.il
Knaan
T
T
Cohen
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001944:Breath Tests; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis
D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D001616:beta-Galactosidase