title: Comparison of different treatment modalities for oral halitosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects on intra-oral halitosis by a mouth rinse containing zinc acetate (0.3%) and chlorhexidine diacetate (0.025%) with and without adjunct tongue scraping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one subjects without a diagnosis of periodontitis were randomized in a cross-over clinical trial. Organoleptic scores (OLS) were assessed to define intra-oral halitosis by total volatile sulfur compound (T-VSC) measurements and by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one subjects with a mean age of 45.7 years (SD: ±13.3, range: 21-66). The OLS were significantly lower following active rinse combined with tongue scraping (p < 0.001) at all time points. Immediately after, at 30 min, and at day 14, the T-VSC values were lower in the active rinse sequence than in the negative rinse sequence (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). At 30 min and at day 14, the hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and methyl mercaptan (MM) values were lower in the active rinse sequence compared to the inactive rinse sequence (p < 0.001). The inactive rinse sequence with tongue scraping reduced T-VSC at 30 min (p < 0.001) but not at 14 days. Similar reductions in T-VSC, H(2)S and MM were found in the active rinse sequence with or without tongue scraping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a tongue scraper did not provide additional benefits to the active mouth rinse, but reduced OLS and tongue coating index.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Science, Section for Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Seida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erovic Ademovski
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lingström
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Winkel
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tangerman
authors.forename: G Rutger
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renvert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012016:Reference Values; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D014059:Tongue; D055815:Young Adult; D019345:Zinc Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D009067:Mouthwashes; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; C072338:chlorhexidine, zinc acetate drug combination; D019345:Zinc Acetate; D002710:Chlorhexidine