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Periodontal Disease: Production of volatile sulphur compounds in diseased periodontal pockets is significantly increased in smokers
Author(s) -
Khaira N,
Palmer RM,
Wilson RF,
Scott DA,
Wade WG
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2000.tb00129.x
Subject(s) - periodontal disease , periodontitis , sulfur , anaerobic exercise , dentistry , gingival and periodontal pocket , medicine , significant difference , chemistry , physiology , organic chemistry
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that the consequences of tobacco smoking may include increased synthesis of toxic volatile sulphur compounds in diseased periodontal pockets. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional, parallel study comparing groups of smokers and non‐smokers with periodontitis and the level of volatile sulphur compounds in the gingival sulci of these subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Levels of volatile sulphur compounds were measured in diseased periodontal sites of 12 smokers and 11 non‐smokers using a portable sulphide monitor. Anaerobic and aerobic counts of the total cultivable subgingival microflora of both groups were also determined. RESULTS: The percentage of sites per subject with high levels of sulphides (≥10 units) detected in moderate (4–6 mm) and deep (≥7 mm) periodontal pockets was found to be significantly higher in smokers, compared to non‐smokers ( P = 0.040 and P = 0.005, respectively). No significant difference in the microbiological parameters tested were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased production of volatile sulphur compounds may represent a further mechanism of increased susceptibility to periodontitis in smokers and also help to explain the reported association between smoking and halitosis.