The salivary amine levels significantly correlated with VSC levels and organoleptic scores. Therefore, the ninhydrin method of detecting salivary amines may be an alternative or additional method of diagnosing halitosis. This method may also be used to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Objectives  Availability of required substrate – amino acids is a factor determining the appearance of halitosis. The aim of the study was to determine whether a chemical test for low molecular weight amines in the saliva may be a new method of diagnosing halitosis. Methods  Eighty‐four patients suffering from halitosis and 40 healthy volunteers aged 20–62 (avg. 39.7) participated in the study. Halitosis was diagnosed if the average level of VSC measured by a halimeter was >125 ppb and the organoleptic measurement using a 5‐point scale was >2. In all subjects low molecular weight amines were evaluated by the ninhydrine method. Patients with halitosis were randomized into a treatment groups. Zinc tablets, tablets and mouthwash containing chlorhexidine or lyophilized lactic acid‐forming bacteria were used. Test subjects were examined at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and after 3 months and controls on day 0, 21 and after 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's test. Results  Analysis showed, that the level of amines was highest in subjects with halitosis (0.39, s.d. 0.06) and correlated significantly with results of VSC measurement and organoleptic scores (P < 0.001). Reduction of amine levels after treatment was statistically significant (0.36, s.d. 0.06, P < 0.001). The amine levels in healthy controls was lower (0.29, s.d. 0.07) and remained at a similar, stable level. Conclusions  The ninhydrin method of detecting salivary amines may be one of the methods of diagnosing halitosis, because salivary amine levels significantly correlated with VSC levels measured by halimeter and organoleptic scores. This method may also be used to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Pets (dogs, cats) owned in childhood or at present may transmit bacteria that cause halitosis.

Objective  Headaches are a common problem and may occur in response to several factors, e.g. high blood pressure, emotions, changes of atmospheric pressure. It is believed, that amines appearing due to halitosis may take part in this process. Different factors may cause problem of vision among humans. It is presumed that amines detected in halitosis chemically act on the neurological system. This process is sustained and the central nervous system is chemically intoxicated. Methods  Eighty‐four patients suffering from halitosis and 40 healthy subjects aged 20–62 (avg. 39.7) participated in this study. Each subject completed a questionnaire and was then examined for organoleptic score, VSC by halimeter and evaluation of low molecular weight amines by ninhydrine colourimetric reaction. Halitosis was diagnosed if the average level of VSC as measured by the halimeter was >125 ppb and the organoleptic measurement using a 5‐point scale was >2. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's and Chi square test. Results  About 68% of respondents suffering from halitosis had problems with vision (P = 0.035). Headaches occurring among halitosis males were rare (20.0%), but were more common in females (43.0%). Differences in the incidence of headaches according to gender and diagnosis of halitosis were not statistically significant (P = 0.8). Conclusion  Problems with vision are more common in patients with halitosis. Such problems may be caused by metabolites of low molecular weight amine compounds produced during halitosis, which chemically act on the central nervous system.