OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship between oral malodor, volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) levels in the mouth air and periodontal index; the role of tongue in the production of VSCs and halitosis.

METHODS60 periodontitis patients with oral malodor were included. Oral malodor was estimated by organoleptic method (organoleptic rating, OR); VSCs level measurements before and after cleaning the tongue coating were made with a portable sulphide monitor (halimeter), respectively; periodontal probing depth (PD) and the proportion of PD >/= 4 mm sites, bleeding index (BI) and plaque index (PLI) were examined; tongue coating was estimated with thickness (Tt) and area (Ta) on the dorsal surface of tongue.

RESULTSThe correlation was analyzed with Spearman method. There was a significantly positive correlation between OR, VSCs levels and BI, PLI, and Tt, respectively (P < 0.01). OR and VSCs levels was also related with Ta (P < 0.05). There was a weakly correlation between VSCs levels and PD, and the proportion of PD >/= 4 mm sites (r = 0.26, P < 0.05). No correlation between OR and PD, and the proportion of PD >/= 4 mm sites was existed. Reduction of VSCs levels after cleaning tongue coating was statistically significant (t = 10.15, P < 0.01), and also significantly related with thickness and area of tongue coating (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn present study, OR and VSCs levels were significantly correlated with gingival inflammation (BI), condition of oral hygiene (PLI), and tongue coating. The relationship between OR, VSCs levels and periodontal probing depth was not found obviously. VSCs levels were significantly reduced after cleaning tongue coating, but the percentage of reduction was less than that of the previous studies.