Accuracy of a portable breath meter test for the detection of halitosis in children and adolescents

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the accuracy of the Breath-Alert™ portable breath meter (BA) for the detection of halitosis in children and adolescents, considering the organoleptic test (OT) as the gold standard in this assessment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 children (aged 6-12 years). OT was performed by three independent examiners on a single occasion, obtaining three scores of 0-5 points on the Rosenberg’s organoleptic scale. The median of the three evaluations for each child was used for analysis. BA was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with breath odor scored from 0-5 points. Scores ≥2 on both tests were considered indicative of halitosis. RESULTS: A total of 26 (17.3%) and 23 (15.3%) children were detected with halitosis on the OT and BA tests, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the BA scores for the detection of halitosis were 80.76% and 98.38%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values for BA were 91.3% and 96.06%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the present study involving children, who require fast, practical examinations, BA proved to be an auxiliary tool to OT for the detection of halitosis in the practice of pediatric dentistry, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity.

Comparative study between photodynamic therapy and the use of probiotics in the reduction of halitosis in mouth breathing children: Study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…VSCs can be measured with the use of sulfide monitors and gas chromatography. [2,5,11,20] The portable Breath-Alert device (BA) has been used with increasing frequency in clinical practice for the diagnosis of halitosis due to its ease of use and low cost. [16,[21][22][23][24][25] In children, who need fast, practical exams, the BA is a halitosis detection tool with high sensitivity and specificity for use in pediatric dentistry.…”

“…[4] In this context of social and biological importance, the prevalence of halitosis and associated factors in the pediatric population has been investigated throughout the world and different rates are estimated. [1,5–10]…”

“…[4] In this context of social and biological importance, the prevalence of halitosis and associated factors in the pediatric population has been investigated throughout the world and different rates are estimated. [1,[5][6][7][8][9][10] Recent studies involving mouth-breathing children have demonstrated that this group has a significantly greater frequency of halitosis compared to nose breathers. [8,[11][12][13] Halitosis classified as oral originates in the mouth and upper airways and results from the decomposition of organic matter-epithelial cells are retained in the posterior portion of the tongue due to low salivary flow and/or a water imbalance as well as microbial attack in the oral environment, which favor the growth of proteolytic bacteria, resulting in the production of volatile sulfur compounds, which are related to the characteristic odor.…”

“…Hydrogen sulfide is associated with coated tongue, methyl mercaptan is associated with periodontal pockets and dimethyl sulfide is associated with systemic alterations. [5,[17][18][19] Among the different methods for the diagnosis of halitosis, the clinical examination, known as the organoleptic test, is a subjective method consisting of smelling the odor exhaled from the mouth and nose and quantifying this odor with the use of a scale. VSCs can be measured with the use of sulfide monitors and gas chromatography.…”

Effect of Photodynamic Therapy on Halitosis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The different diagnostic methods for halitosis include a clinical assessment, known as the organoleptic test, which is a subjective method that consists of smelling the air exhaled from the mouth and quantifying the odor with the use of a scale. Halitosis can also be measured with a sulfide monitor, as described by Guedes et al [10]; this method is an alternative to the organoleptic test and has high sensitivity and specificity [10]. Gas chromatography is the most appropriate method for the diagnosis of halitosis of any origin, as this method measures the three main sulfur gases [11][12][13].…”