Assessment of oral malodor and tonsillar microbiota after gargling with benzethonium chloride

Abstract

The oropharyngeal area can be a source of halitosis. However, the relationship between healthy tonsillar microbiota and halitosis is poorly understood. We conducted a pilot clinical study to clarify the effect of gargling with an antiseptic agent on tonsillar microbiota in patients with halitosis. Twenty-nine halitosis patients who did not have otolaryngologic disease or periodontitis were assigned randomly to one of three groups: benzethonium chloride (BZC) gargle; placebo gargle; no gargle. Concentrations of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in mouth air, the organoleptic score (ORS) and tongue-coating score (TCS) were measured before and after testing. IntroductionHalitosis is defined as an offensive and unpleasant breath odor. It is caused by various volatile molecules, including sulfur compounds, aromatic compounds, and short-chain fatty acids. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) such as methyl mercaptan (CH 3 SH), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and dimethyl sulfide (CH 3 SCH 3 ) are mainly responsible for halitosis (1). Most instances of halitosis can be attributed to oral causes. Usually, the source of malodor is flaking cells that have been sloughed off via turnover of epidermal cells and food residue attached to the posterior dorsum of the tongue, which are degraded by the proteolytic enzymes of anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria produce VSCs via enzymatic reactions with sulfur-containing amino acids (2).The ear-nose-throat (ENT) region is another site where halitosis can develop. Tonsillitis, sinusitis, and postnasal drip in the nasal cavity are frequent non-oral causes of

Assessment of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Adult and Pediatric Chronic Tonsillitis Patients Receiving Tonsillectomy

“…The exact causative odorous volatile compound responsible in tonsillitis has not been identified [ 16 ]; however, it can be similar to those in intraoral halitosis because the oropharynx area is adjacent to the oral cavity and the VSC-forming anaerobic oral bacteria also constitute the oropharyngeal microbiota [ 17 ]. As often as not, tonsil stone (tonsillolith) can be formed in the tonsillar crypts from the retained exfoliated epithelium cells, keratin debris, and foreign particles.…”

Antibiofilm and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities of Houttuynia cordata Decoction for Oral Care

“…Povidone iodine, chlorhexidine, and benzethonium chloride are typically used as antiseptic mouthwashes or rinses to prevent oral infections including dental caries and periodontal diseases [ 50 – 55 ]. However, these antiseptics exhibit mucosal cytotoxicity, have a bad flavor, and can cause anaphylactic reactions [ 54 , 56 – 58 ].…”

Das Mikrobiom – die unplanbare Größe zukünftiger Therapien

“…An interventional study on the influence of gargling with benzethonium chloride in patients with halitosis could not reveal any changes of the tonsillar microbiome 149 .…”

“…Als interventionelle Studie zum Einfluss von Gurgeln mit Benzethoniumchlorid bei Patienten mit Halitosis konnte keine Veränderung des Mikrobiomes der Tonsille zeigen 149 .…”