Mouthrinses for the treatment of halitosis

Abstract

The purpose of our research was to investigate the effects of mouthrinses in controlling halitosis. [1] Halitosis is an unpleasant odour which emanates from the oral cavity. Roughly half the population of surveyed countries have been reported to suffer from this condition which can be a source of social embarrassment. Although there are several factors which can contribute to halitosis, the most common is the accumulation of food debris and bacteria, specifically in the rear furrows of the tongue. Bacteria utilize the food residue and generate volatile sulfur compounds, which are the primary source of this offending odor. Mouthrinses are a common and popular way of dealing with halitosis. These rinses can be generally divided into two categories based upon their mechanism of action. The first group are those that kill the bacteria producing the sulphur compounds, and the second group are those that directly interact with the odor by chemically neutralizing or masking these compounds. This systematic review of research located five eligible trials involving 293 participants. The trials tested common over-the-counter and healthcare provider prescribed products in twice daily dosing, with intervention periods ranging between 2 and 6 weeks. The assessments were gathered by self-reporting by the participants, second party human nose sense of smell, and utilization of electronic methods such as portable sulphide monitors and halimeters. We concluded that mouthrinses containing antibacterial compounds, such as chlorhexadine and cetylpyridinium were significantly better at combating halitosis by reducing the levels of halitosis-producing bacteria from the tongue. Furthermore, those mouthrinses containing the compounds chlorine dioxide, zinc or essential oils were also effective in reducing halitosis by temporarily neutralizing or masking the odoriferous sulphur compounds. The authors of the Cochrane review would like to inform that long-term use of products containing the antibacterial compound chlorhexadine can potentially lead to staining of the surface of the teeth and tongue and alter taste sensations, though these effects are merely temporary and fully reversible. We further note that the number of trials that qualified for the review was indeed small compared to the relative prevalence of halitosis in the general population. Additionally, research conducted on artificially induced halitosis was not part of the inclusion criterion for this review. Furthermore, the organoleptic, or human sense of smell, should remain the primary gauge of assessment of outcomes of halitosis treatment. Lastly, properly conducted research trials with larger sample size and longer intervention periods are still needed to better provide data for proper product selection for the treatment of this common condition. If you are interested in additional information regarding the treatment of halitosis, a number of the contributing authors to this systematic review have also worked together on another review, of tongue scraping for treating halitosis. [2]