Inulin and Streptococcus Salivarius Reduce Halitosis Associated With Tongue Coating: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Participants In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel, phase II clinical trial, adult patients (≥18 years old) who complained of halitosis in the presence of tongue coating were invited to participate. They were identified with invitations in the form of posters distributed at the Dental School clinics, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), from August to November, 2015. The Dental School is located on the main campus of UPF,Passo Fundo, a city with >200.000 habitants. Oral halitosis was initially diagnosed by oral examination for tongue coating identification, followed by organoleptic test to confirm the halitosis. Total sample size was estimated in 45 participants, considering a difference of 80% in Halimeter reduction between treatments, for tests with α = 5% and power = 80%. Halitosis was defined by Halimeter values ≥ 75 ppb. All participants gave written consent before entering the study. The research protocol was approved by the local ethics committee (CAAE: 40334914.0.0000.5342).

Clinical examination Oral examination was performed by a trained dentist (CRM), identifying dental cavities, plaque, gingivitis, periodontal pockets and any dental prosthesis. Coating was described after visual inspection of the tongue and coating index was classified into 4 levels: 0 - no coating; 1 - thin coating on 1/3; 2 - thin coating on more than 1/3 or thick coating on only 1/3; 3 - thick coating on more than 1/3.5

Evaluation of halitosis After clinical examination, halitosis was quantified by organoleptic and Halimeter‡ tests. These were performed by a trained and calibrated examiner (CRM), with levels of agreement and reproducibility greater than 80% for organoleptic test and coating index, using test and retest comparisons with an expert judge (CKR). All patients were examined between 8 and 11 am. Patients were asked to avoid eating garlic, onion and other food condiments for two days before testing and avoid overeating margarine, milk, fry, sardines, salami, bologna, sausage, red meat, cheeses, foods with sulfur in the composition (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, egg), drinking alcohol and smoking, following protocols reported elsewhere.5, 13, 15 In the examination morning, patients should avoid using candies and gums, but were allowed to have breakfast and tooth brushing with water only. Once included in the study, patients were asked to avoid gums other than those provided in the trial.

Organoleptic test Patients at rest were instructed to hold air in the mouth while breathing through the nose for 1 min. They blow through mouth with the examiner (CRM) positioned 10 cm from the patient mouth. Patient breath was rated from 0 to 5, as follows: 0 - no smell, 1 - poor barely perceptible odour, 2 - slight stench, 3 - moderate smelly, 4 - strong stench, and 5 - severe stench.21 With the purpose of selecting patients, halitosis was considered present when this score was equal or higher than 1 in the presence of tongue coating.

Halimeter Patients had their breath objectively measured using a Halimeter, capable of measuring the VSC level. Halitosis is identified when the device registers ≥75 ppb.1, 22 The measurements were made by inserting a disposable straw into the patient mouth above the tongue. According to the manufacturer, the final result was obtained as the average of three measurements.