Denture Malodour and Microbiota (DMM)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A single centre, case-control study of breath volatiles and oral microbiota in denture wearers.
IRAS ID
198995
Contact name
Abish Stephen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Lay Summary: Many people experience bad breath, which is often caused by certain gases in the breath known as volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). These gases are produced by bacteria living in the mouth. People who wear dentures, especially lower dentures, may be more likely to have bad breath, possibly due to different types of bacteria and fungi in their mouths. However, not much is known about how denture use specifically affects the chemicals in breath and the types of microorganisms found in the mouth. This study aimed to improve understanding of these differences, which could eventually help identify risks for oral diseases like gum inflammation and denture-related infections, and guide better oral care.
Odorous chemicals are by-products of microbial putrefactive activity in the mouth, and this is thought to cause malodorous breath in healthy individuals. Wearing dentures is thought to encourage microbial plaque accumulation in a number of unique oral surfaces that can exacerbate this problem, whilst at the same time increase the likelihood of inflammatory disease associated with denture wearing such as periodontitis and denture stomatitis. Particular fungal organisms are also thought to be involved in inflammatory diseases associated with denture wearing and their role in causing oral malodour in this group of individuals is unknown. This study aims to characterise the volatile compounds emitted from the mouths of denture wearers along with the microbial composition in the dentures and other areas of the mouth. This will help reveal important chemical contributors to oral malodour in denture wearers, in addition to the microbial compositional changes in the oral cavity that may be associated with malodour.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1396
Date of REC Opinion
19 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion