title: [Effect of chewing gum on halitosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to estimate the prevalence of oral halitosis in a young population and show the effect of chewing gum on their breath.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, descriptive correlational cross section study. We selected a convenience sample of 121 young individuals and 98 completed the study. It was carried out at the University Dental Hospital-University of Barcelona. The protocol consisted of: questionnaire, oral clinical evaluation, organoleptic tests (OT) and measurement of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) with sulphide monitoring before and after chewing gum during 15 min, with 2 calibrated investigators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A percentage of 87.8 had adequate oral hygiene, 17.3% reported bad breath and 29.6% had xerostomia. Forty-four subjects had a OT grade ≥2; the agreement of examiners was 75%. The VSC in 53 individuals were ≤100 parts per billion (ppb) and in 45 subjects, it was>100 ppb. A post-reduction of VSC of 17.34% was obtained with a mean decrease of 1.8-9.0 ppb (P=.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of halitosis was 36.7%. The use of chewing gum as an adjunct in cases of halitosis decreases the VSC, improving the perception of others and the patient.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Odontoestomatología, Facultad de Odontología, Campus Universitario de Bellvitge, Universidad de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: fiorella.dlm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Luca-Monasterios
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Odontoestomatología, Facultad de Odontología, Campus Universitario de Bellvitge, Universidad de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chimenos-Küstner
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Odontoestomatología, Facultad de Odontología, Campus Universitario de Bellvitge, Universidad de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-López
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum
keywords: Chewing gum; Chicle; Compuestos volátiles sulfurados; Halitosis; Monitor de sulfuros; Organoleptic assessment; Portable sulphide monitor; Prueba organoléptica; Volatile sulfur compounds
vernacular_title: Efecto de masticar chicle sobre la halitosis.