Monitoring ammonia to assess halitosis

Objective. This study examined the applicability of ammonia monitoring for assessing halitosis. Study design. The actual degree of halitosis was determined by using an organoleptic test in 61 subjects aged 28 +/- 10 years (mean +/- SD). Levels of volatile sulfur compounds and ammonia were determined by using gas chromatography and ammonia monitoring, respectively. Levels of ammonia and methyl mercaptan produced by bacteria in dental plaque and tongue-coating samples obtained from 25 subjects were quantified. In addition, changes in ammonia levels were measured before and after removing tongue coating or dental plaque. Results. There was no significant correlation between the organoleptic score and the ammonia level measured with ammonia monitoring, whereas there was a significant correlation between ammonia level and the total level of volatile sulfur compounds measured with gas chromatography. Significant correlations were also observed between ammonia level and levels of methyl mercaptan produced by bacteria in dental plaque and tongue coating. Furthermore, the ammonia level decreased after the removal of tongue coating and dental plaque. Conclusion. These results indicate that measuring ammonia levels is useful for assessing halitosis, specifically for halitosis arising from a lack of oral hygiene.