Oral malodor was measured using a portable sulphide monitor in 2,672 individuals aged 18 to 64 years. In addition, dental (DMFT) and periodontal conditions (CPITN and attachment loss), dental plaque, and tongue coating status were assessed. Before clinical examination, subjects were interviewed about their oral health habits, smoking habits, and medical history. Data on volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) were analyzed by gender, age group, and time of measurement. There were no significant differences observed in the VSC between males and females in any age group. In each age group, the measured values of oral malodor were highest in the late morning group (58.6 ppb in average), followed by the late afternoon group (52.1 ppb), while lowest values were shown in the early afternoon group (39.4 ppb). Significant correlation was observed only between the VSC value and periodontal conditions and tongue coating status. The results also suggest that oral malodor might be caused mainly by tongue coating in the younger generation and by periodontal diseases together with tongue coating in older cohorts in the general population. Age was not a risk factor for increasing VSC.

The loss of teeth is known to influence the mastication of foods and nutritional status. Therefore, we hypothesize that poor dentition status can impair the systemic health of the aged. To clarify the influence of dentition status on deterioration in physical ability, mental impairment, and mortality, we conducted a six-year prospective cohort study of the institutionalized elderly living in 29 of the 30 institutions for the elderly in Kitakyushu, Japan. Bivariate analysis revealed that worse dentition status at baseline led to significantly worse physical and mental impairment, and higher mortality. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the physical ability of edentulous subjects without dentures significantly deteriorated compared with that of dentate subjects with 20 or more teeth. The six-year mortality rate of the edentulous subjects without dentures was significantly higher than that of the subjects with 20 or more teeth. Poorer dentition status, especially edentulousness without dentures, may therefore be related to deterioration in the systemic health of the aged.

Chewing is a complex function of the oro-facial structures and the central nervous system. The application of the proposed assessments of the chewing function in geriatrics or special care dentistry could help visualising oro-functional or dental comorbidities in dysphagic patients or those suffering from protein-energy malnutrition.

Low chewing ability evaluated by color-changeable gum was associated with lower ADL, lower cognitive functioning, depression and food insufficiency in the community-dwelling elderly. More attention should be paid to assessing chewing ability of elderly persons in community settings.

In this paper, the classification of halitosis and the examination procedures used in diagnosing halitosis are outlined. Halitosis is classified into categories of genuine halitosis, pseudo-halitosis and halitophobia. Genuine halitosis is subclassified into physiologic halitosis and pathologic halitosis. Pathologic halitosis itself is subdivided into oral and extraoral halitosis. Patients diagnosed with pseudo-halitosis and halitophobia usually complain about having oral malodour that does not really exist. Pseudohalitosis can be treated by dental practitioners, but halitophobic patients must be referred to psychological specialists. Oral malodour can be measured using an organoleptic measurement or a gas chromatography analysis. The organoleptic measurement is the most practical procedure with which one can evaluate oral malodour. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis using a flame photometric detector has been shown to be the gold standard for measuring oral malodour, owing its reputation to its objectivity and reproducibility. Moreover, GC is specific for volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), which are the main causes of oral malodour. It has been demonstrated that there is a high correlation between the intensity of oral malodour and the VSC concentration as measured by GC.