Volatile sulfur compounds, plaque and gingivitis in students from the faculty of dentistry of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between levels of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC), dental plaque and gingivitis in dental students. 30 non-smoker students (18-26 years-old) from the Faculty of Dentistry of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul were examined. Measures of VSC levels were made with a VSC portable monitor (Halimeter, Interscan, USA), early in the morning (7:00 to 9:00 aM) with no previous oral hygiene. Two calibrated examiners assessed Visible Plaque (VPI) and Gingival Bleeding (GBI) Indices. Two analysis were conducted: one with all individuals and another dividing the sample with a cut-off point of 75 ppb of VSC. The association between VSC, plaque and gingivitis was evaluated with Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Association between bad breath perception, tongue brushing and VSC was assessed using the Spearman's correlation coefficient (r ). VPI and GBI were compared between groups with VSC above and under 75 ppb using the independent t test. The analytical unit was the individual (alpha=5%). Mean percents of plaque and gingival bleeding and mean VSC in all sample were 29.52%, 4.41% and 67.5 ppb, respectively. It was observed a significant correlation between VPI and GBI (r=0,59, p=0,001). There were no significant correlations between plaque, gingivitis and VSC levels. There were no differences in plaque and gingival bleeding between individuals with VSC 375 ppb and VSC <75 ppb (29.05 ± 9.23% and 29.76+15.24%, p =0.89; 4.77+4.47% and 4.22±4.18%, p =0.74; respectively). It was not observed a significant correlation between individual bad breath perception, tongue brushing habits and VSC levels. However, there was a significant correlation between individual perception of bad breath and plaque levels (r =0.52, p=0.003). It can be concludal that, in individuals with good oral hygiene, levels of plaque and gingivitis were not correlated with VSC levels, and the individual perception of bad breath was associated with levels of plaque.