title: Effect of toothbrushing discontinuation on morning volatile sulfur compounds in periodontally healthy subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To follow up the variations of early morning concentrations of oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in periodontally healthy subjects who refrained from toothbrushing during a period of 5 days while continuing with other hygiene procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen subjects volunteered for this study. At baseline, all subjects stopped brushing their teeth for 5 days, but continued using dental floss and a tongue scraper twice daily. Organoleptic measurements, VSC quantification and plaque index were recorded in all subjects at baseline and on days 3 and 5 of the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, the visible plaque index was significantly lower than that observed on days 3 and 5 (P = 0.0001). However, no significant differences in the amount of plaque were observed between days 3 and 5 (P > 0.05). The results of the organoleptic measurements and VSC quantifications did not show any statistically significant differences between baseline and day 3, or between days 3 and 5 (P > 0.05). However, a significant increase was observed in both VSCs (P = 0.008) and organoleptic scores (P = 0.032) when baseline values were compared to day 5. A positive correlation between VSCs and organoleptic scores was observed in all measurements (r = 0.67, P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that the lack of toothbrushing may affect VSC levels and the organoleptic perception of oral malodour due to the development of biofilm on buccal and lingual surfaces of teeth in healthy subjects.
authors.forename: Flávia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matarazzo
authors.forename: Danilo Maeda
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Reino
authors.forename: Roberto Masayuki
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hayacibara
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Faveri
authors.forename: Mitsue
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujimaki
mesh_terms: D006209:Halitosis; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D014059:Tongue; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D013457:Sulfur Compounds