A Study of Measurement of Oral Malodor with a Portable Sulfide Monitor Halimeter (R)

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of a portable sulfide monitor (Halimeter®Model RH 17 E, Interscan, U.S.A.), and to examine the relationship with oral malodor and periodontal indices. One hundred and one healthy adults, students and staff of The Nippon Dental University School of Dentistry at Niigata, were measured for oral malodor using a portable sulfide monitor and organoleptic examination. After that, thirteen individuals were examined, for whom periodontal indices (probing depth (PD), plaque control record (PCR), plaque index (PlI), and bleeding on probing (BOP)) were compared with oral malodor. The result showed that the organoleptic scores overlapped with volatile sulfur compound values. However, the organoleptic scores were correlated with volatile sulfur compound values. These results suggest that this portable sulfide monitor may be useful as a chair-side measurement of oral malodor. However, no correlation was found between volatile sulfur compound values and periodontal indices. J. Jpn. Soc. Periodontol., 41: 195-200, 1999.