Adding tongue scraping to initial periodontal therapy to reduce bad breath

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Adults with generalized periodontitis and intra-oral halitosis will receive standard initial periodontal therapy (supra- and subgingival biofilm reduction and calculus removal) and be instructed on oral hygiene with or without a tongue scraper. Halitosis will be measured by organoleptic scoring and volatile sulfur compound measurements using a Halimeter and Oral Chroma. The study compares halitosis parameters before and after treatment to determine any additional benefit from tongue scraping. Participants are recruited and treated at UZ Leuven, Campus Sint-Rafael.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures
* Males or females American Society of Anesthesiologist classification I of II,
* 18 years of age or older,
* In good general health as documented by self-assessment
* Suffer from generalised periodontitis (according to 2018 classification)
* Suffer from halitosis with suspected intra-oral cause: organoleptic score (OLS) of 2 or higher by an experienced oral malodour judge
* At least one volatile sulphur compounds(VSCs) measurement above the following thresholds:

  1. Portable sulphur detector (Halimeter) \> 107 ppb
  2. Oral Chroma™: hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) \> 112ppb
  3. Oral Chroma™: methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) \>28ppb

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participant has a history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in head and neck area
* Any disorder, which in the Investigator's opinion might jeopardise the participant's safety or compliance with the protocol
* Any prior or concomitant treatment(s) that might jeopardise the participant's safety or that would compromise the integrity of the Trial
* Female who is pregnant, breast-feeding or has the intention of becoming pregnant in the following 6 months
* Participation in another interventional Trial with an investigational medicinal product (IMP) or device
* Recent intake of antibiotics (3 months prior to the first consultation)
* Antibiotics indicated as part of the periodontal treatment
* Use of antibiotics during the course of the study
* Suffer from halitosis with suspected extra-oral cause
* Suffer from a systemic disease that could cause extra-oral halitosis (e.g. diabetes mellitus, liver or kidney failure, trimethylaminuria)
* Participant has a history of rheumatic fever, neurological deficiencies, or use of medication which may affect periodontal tissue, (phenytoin, cyclosporin, nifedipine, chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
* Presence of active caries lesions
* Unwillingness to return for the follow-up examination
* Wear partial prosthetic dentures removables
* Participant has less than 20 teeth

Where it's running

• UZLeuven, Campus SintRafael
  Leuven, Belgium Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ana Castro — Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
• Study coordinator: Ana Castro
• Email: ana.castro@uzleuven.be
• Phone: +3216332407

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Adding laser-based antimicrobial therapy to deep cleaning and tongue scraping for bad breath in people with type 2 diabetes and severe gum disease

  This trial tests whether adding antimicrobial photodynamic therapy to standard deep cleaning and tongue scraping reduces bad breath in people with type 2 diabetes and advanced periodontitis.

  Recruiting University of Sao Paulo · Bauru, São Paulo · NCT07463859

• High BMI and periodontitis in Thai adults under 60

  This study tests how common high BMI and periodontitis are among Thai adults aged 18–59 and what factors are linked to them.

  Recruiting Mahidol University · Bangkok, Ratchathewi · NCT07880717

• Association Between Periodontitis and Dry Eye Disease in Adults

  This study tests whether periodontitis and dry eye disease are linked by comparing groups with and without each condition.

  Recruiting University of Sulaimani · Sulaymaniyah, As Sulaymaniyah Governorate · NCT07873697

• Periodontal Infection and Inflammatory Markers in Missed Abortion

  Researchers will test whether gum infection and inflammation are linked to missed abortion in pregnant women with no major chromosomal problems.

  Recruiting Necmettin Erbakan University · Konya, Konya · NCT07864220

• Smoking, MFN1, and NLRP3 Levels in Gum Fluid Across Periodontal Health and Disease

  This study tests whether smoking changes MFN1 and NLRP3 protein levels in the fluid around the gums for adults with or without periodontitis.

  Recruiting Abant Izzet Baysal University · Bolu, Central · NCT07826728

• Dental Loupes vs. Dental Operating Microscope for Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

  This study tests whether using dental loupes or a dental operating microscope makes non-surgical periodontal cleaning more effective for adults with periodontitis.

  Recruiting Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi · Ankara and 2 other locations · NCT07822269

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.