Lack of Association between Halitosis and the Presence of Streptococcus mutans in Saliva

Background: Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive bacteria which plays a major role in tooth decay. S. mutans is among the bacterial agents that initiate biofilm formation on the tooth surface and other bacteria will added then to the attached bacteria to make dental plaque. Some of these secondary bacteria are important agents in halitosis

Objectives: To compare the presence of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of patients with halitosis and control group, using culture method.

Materials and Methods: Saliva specimens of 100 patients referring to diagnosis ward of Shiraz medical school were collected. 51 patients (34 female and 17 male) complaining of halitosis were considered as study group and 49 patients (31 female and 18 male) without halitosis as control group. All specimens were cultured on MSB agar media and isolates were identified as S. mutans by traditional tests. The number of S. mutans was determined as cfu/ml in each patient saliva.

An organoleptic evaluation was carried out during the initial consultation with the distance of operator to patient (1 m =grade 3) and (30 cm =grade 2 and 10 cm =grade 1).

Results: Of 51 patients with halitosis in 11 (21.61%) patients saliva S. mutans were detected. In 49 patients of control group, 14 subjects (28.6%) showed growth of S. mutans. There was no Statistical difference between halitosis group and control group in the frequency of Streptococcus mutans detection (OR= 0.69, 95% C.I: 0.28-1.71, p=0.419). Statistical analysis also did not show any significant difference between the number of S. mutans colonies per ml of saliva between halitosis and control groups (p=0.287).

Conclusion: Our findings showed that there was no association exists between halitosis and the Streptococcus mutans presence in saliva.