Halitosis is a very common disease that affects the majority of the population and is characterized by unpleasant odor during expiration. Anaerobic bacteria produce a range of malodorous substances including volatile sulfur compounds. To reduce oral malodor, the amount of oral microorganisms should be managed through brushing, scraping, and use of antibacterial agents. In this study, a mouthwash containing 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride was tested on 22 candidates with oral malodor for two weeks to confirm oral malodor reduction through the use of antibacterial mouthwashes. Volatile sulfur compound measurements were significantly lower after using the mouthwash than before using it; thus, the mouthwash effectively reduced oral malodor.

본 연구는 불쾌감을 유발하는 구취의 자가 인지도와 의치장착의 관계를 알아보고, 일반적 특성에 따른 구강보건지수 와 의치관련 요소가 구취에 미치는 영향을 설문 및 구강검사를 통해 확인하였다. 경로당 및 노인복지관을 방문한 노인 103명을 분석한 결과 평균 연령은 75.06세 이며, 대상자들 중 의치장착 여부에서 ‘장착한 사람’이 55명(53.4%), ‘장착하지 않은 사람’이 48명(46.6%)으로 나타났다. 일반적 특성에 따른 구강보건지수를 살펴본 결과 성별에 따른 구강건강 상태의 차이는 없었지만 연령이 낮을수록 구강건강 상태가 양호한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 ‘배우자’와 함께 거주 할수록 구강상태는 좋은 것으로 나타났으며, 칫솔질 횟수가 적을수록 구강상태는 좋지 않았다. 의치 사용 유무에서 의치를 사용하는 그룹에서 유의미하게 구취발생률이 높았고, 의치에 대한 구강지식이 높을수록 자가인지 구취의 수준 은 높았으나 구강검진을 통한 구취의 실제 발생량은 낮았다. 의치의 종류에 따른 구취발생 정도 또한 유의미하게 차이를 보였다. 즉, 구취의 발생요인을 단정하거나 단편적으로 해석하기는 어려우나, 노인을 대상으로 불쾌감을 유발하 고 대인기피증과 같은 노인성 문제를 야기할 수 있는 구취의 조절과 의치관리를 위한 구강보건 교육프로그램의 개발이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

Halitosis is caused by consumption of certain foods or drinks and production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by periodontopathogens. VSCs-related halitosis is not easily removed using mechanical or chemical therapies such as dental floss, plaque control and mouth rinse. Lactobacillus are known to be probiotics and stimulate immune systems of human. Furthermore, L. casei ATCC 334 and L. rhamnosus GG have an effect on protection of dental caries in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of Lactobacillus on halitosis by Fusobacterium nucleatum- and Porphyromonas gingivalis- producing VSCs and to analyze inhibitory mechanism. The periodontopathogens were cultivated in the presence or the absence Lactobacillus, and the level of VSCs was measured by gas chromatograph. For analysis of inhibitory mechanisms, the susceptibility assay of the spent culture medium of Lactobacillus against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis was investigated. Also, the spent culture medium of Lactobacillus and periodontopathogens were mixed, and the emission of VSCs from the spent culture medium was measured by gas chromatograph. L. casei and L. rhamnosus significantly reduced production of VSCs. L. casei and L. rhamnosus exhibited strong antibacterial activity against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The spent culture medium of L. casei inhibited to emit gaseous hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide from the spent culture medium of periodontopathogens. However, the spent medium of L. rhamnosus repressed only dimethyl sulfide. L. casei ATCC 334 may improve halitosis by growth inhibition of periodontopathogens and reduction of VSCs emission.