The Additional Effect of Including Tongue Scraping to the Oral Hygiene Instructions on Halitosis Parameters in Periodontitis Patients Undergoing Standard Initial Periodontal Therapy
Periodontitis can lead to tooth loss which may impair chewing ability and aesthetics. In addition, periodontitis can give rise to halitosis. Standard initial periodontal treatment consists of supra and subgingival biofilm reduction and removal of calculus. Recently, the European Federation of Periodontology introduced clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of periodontitis. The use of a tongue scraper is not mentioned as element in the standard initial treatment of periodontitis. The investigators have planned a clinical study in order to provide information about the effect of standard initial periodontal therapy and the additional effect of the use of a tongue scraper as part of the oral hygiene instructions on halitosis parameters in periodontitis patients.
• Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures
• Males or females American Society of Anesthesiologist classification I of II,
• 18 years of age or older,
• In good general health as documented by self-assessment
• Suffer from generalised periodontitis (according to 2018 classification)
• Suffer from halitosis with suspected intra-oral cause: organoleptic score (OLS) of 2 or higher by an experienced oral malodour judge
• At least one volatile sulphur compounds(VSCs) measurement above the following thresholds:
‣ Portable sulphur detector (Halimeter) \> 107 ppb
⁃ Oral Chroma™: hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) \> 112ppb
⁃ Oral Chroma™: methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) \>28ppb