Dehydration as an Etiologic Factor of Halitosis: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Salivation is considered to be an important factor in the control of halitosis, and the amount of salivation has been shown to be closely related to the level of hydration. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the relationship between dehydration and halitosis.Methods: Methods: Twenty healthy young females with no dental problems were recruited. All participants were induced to become dehydrated and then over-hydrated. After inducing each hydration state, the severity of hydration and halitosis factor (organoleptic scores, amounts of resting and functional saliva, gas examinations, and tongue coatings) were measured. Hydration statuses were graded as dehydration, normal, or over-hydration according to urine osmolality. This was a cross sectional study with a cross over design. Results: Results:The dehydrated status was associated with higher organoleptic scores than the normal or over-hydrated status (1.75±0.75 vs. 0.87±0.63, and 0.65±0.53, respectively. p<0.05). Mean values of CH 3 SH, (CH 3 ) 2 S in portable gas chromatography for the dehydrated, normal, and over-hydrated status were 11.70±37.00, 6.75±13.50, and 2.80±5.87 nmol/mol, 10.50±15.59, 7.25±10.87, and 1.50±2.55 nmol/mol, respectively. p>0.05). (CH 3 ) 2 S (r=0.410, p=0.009) showed a moderate positive correlation with dehydration status. The resting salivation rates were relatively lower for the dehydrated status than for the normal or overhydrated status (p>0.05), and tongue coating results were also higher for the dehydrated status (p>0.05).Conclusions: Conclusions: Dehydration status appears to be positively correlated with a low resting salivation rate and high portable gas chromatography results. This shows that dehydration might be an etiologic factor of halitosis.