Halitosis of oral origin: diagnosis and treatment with mouthwash

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has recently been recognised as a very important gasotransmitter with neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, anti-apoptotic and angiogenic functions, both in physiological and pathological conditions. When methylated, it produces methanethiol (CH3SH), both of which are the most offensive gases responsible for intraoral halitosis. This cross-over clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHX) or essential oil (EO) based rinses with and without alcohol in reducing H2S and CH3SH levels. Compared to baseline levels, in the first hour, only OEc/a was able to significantly reduce breath (H2S p