Objectives:
Oral malodour (halitosis) is generally attributable to oral microbial putrefaction, a process generating extremely malodorous volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) such as methyl mercaptan and dihydrogen sulphide. In this study we tested the ability of a newly-developed oral spray formulation (containing the oxidants carbamide peroxide and peroxodisulphate) [1] to diminish the concentration of oral cavity VSCs in human volunteers.

Methods:
A mixed-model 2-factor factorial experimental design involving 5 volunteers and 2 time-points was undertaken. Prior to the testing period each participant refrained from oral activities for at least 4hrs. Electron-donating VSCs levels were determined in triplicate using a sulphide monitor (Interscan model 1170) both prior and 20min. subsequent to an oral rinsing episode (1.0 min.) with the product investigated. Results were recorded as steady-state VSC equivalents [parts-per-billion (p.p.b.)].

Results:
Statistical analysis of the experimental data acquired demonstrated that oral rinsing with the product tested gave rise to a highly significant reduction in oral cavity VSC concentrations (p< 0.001) at the 20 minutes post-treatment time-point; the overall mean decrease was 17%. The between-volunteers component-of-variance was also also highly significant (p< 0.001), whilst the time-point x volunteers interaction component was not significant, the latter observation confirming the independence of the 2 main effects.

Conclusions:
Therefore, it is concluded that carbamide peroxide and/or peroxodisulphate present in the oral spray formulations tested effectively oxidise oral cavity VSCs (presumably to non-malodorous products) and that use of this product serves as an effective means for the control of oral malodour.