The use of a tongue scraper did not provide additional benefits to the active mouth rinse, but reduced OLS and tongue coating index.

Periodontally healthy subjects with intra-oral halitosis benefit from daily rinsing with zinc- and chlorhexidine-containing mouth rinse.

All treatments resulted in reduction in halitosis 12 h after rinsing compared to placebo. H2 S and MM were most effectively reduced by zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate.

Zn/CHX mouth rinse provides effective long-term efficacy against intra-oral halitosis, assessed both objectively and subjectively. With regular rinsing, the effect was sustained for 6 months.

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of non‐surgical periodontal therapy on intra‐oral halitosis 3 months after therapy. Material and methods Sixty‐eight adults with intra‐oral halitosis were included in a case series. Intra‐oral halitosis was evaluated at baseline, and at 3 months after treatment using the organoleptic scores (OLS), Halimeter®, and a gas chromatograph. Results Significant reductions for OLS (p < 0.01), total sum of volatile sulphur compounds (T‐VSC) (p < 0.01) and methyl mercaptan (MM) (p < 0.05) values were found after treatment. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels were not significantly reduced. The numbers of probing pockets 4 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm were significantly reduced as a result of therapy (p < 0.001). Bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque indices were also significantly reduced (p < 0.001). For the 34 individuals with successful periodontal treatment (BOP<20% and a ≥50% reduction of total pocket depth) reductions in OLS (p < 0.01) and T‐VSC scores (p < 0.01) were found. Eleven individuals were considered effectively treated for intra‐oral halitosis presenting with a T‐VSC value <160 ppb, a H2S value <112 ppb and a MM value <26 ppb. Conclusion Non‐surgical periodontal therapy resulted in reduction of OLS, MM and T‐VSC values 3 months after therapy. Few individuals were considered as effectively treated for intra‐oral halitosis.