Previous studies have established that hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are the primary components of halitosis (bad breath). In the present investigation, we report a simple, rapid technique for measurement of halitosis‐related sulphides. The technique is based on a portable instrument generally used for environmental safety applications. Seventy‐five volunteers were measured using this technique, and the results (in peak ppb hydrogen sulphide equivalents) compared with organoleptic assessment by 7 judges. A highly significant overall correlation (r = 0.603; P<0.001) was obtained between these 2 methods. Moreover, in most cases, the organoleptic ratings of the individual judges correlated more highly with sulphide monitor values than with one another. The simplicity of the technique suggests its use in clinical studies as well as in diagnosis and treatment of patients with this complaint. J Periodontol 1991; 62:487–489.

Background: In late December 2019, a new pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection began to spread around the world. The new situation gave rise to severe health threats, economic uncertainty, and social isolation, causing potential deleterious effects on people’s physical and mental health. These effects are capable of influencing oral and maxillofacial conditions, such as temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and bruxism, which could further aggravate the orofacial pain. Two concomitant studies aimed to evaluate the effect of the current pandemic on the possible prevalence and worsening of TMD and bruxism symptoms among subjects selected from two culturally different countries: Israel and Poland. Materials and Methods: Studies were conducted as cross-sectional online surveys using similar anonymous questionnaires during the lockdown practiced in both countries. The authors obtained 700 complete responses from Israel and 1092 from Poland. In the first step, data concerning TMDs and bruxism were compared between the two countries. In the second step, univariate analyses (Chi²) were performed to investigate the effects of anxiety, depression, and personal concerns of the Coronavirus pandemic, on the symptoms of TMD, and bruxism symptoms and their possible aggravation. Finally, multivariate analyses (logistic regression models) were carried out to identify the study variables that had a predictive value on TMD, bruxism, and symptom aggravation in the two countries. Results: The results showed that the Coronavirus pandemic has caused significant adverse effects on the psychoemotional status of both Israeli and Polish populations, resulting in the intensification of their bruxism and TMD symptoms. Conclusions: The aggravation of the psychoemotional status caused by the Coronavirus pandemic can result in bruxism and TMD symptoms intensification and thus lead to increased orofacial pain.

Psychosocial factors may play an important role in the etiology of sleep and awake bruxism. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between emotional stress and bruxism in male and female dental students at various stages of their education. Dental education in Israel is based on a six-year curriculum, divided into three stages: pre-medical studies (yr. 1–2), manual skills (yr. 3–4), and clinical experience (yr. 5–6). Each stage requires different capabilities and skills. Questionnaires regarding psychological state (SCL-90) measuring depression, anxiety, and somatization as well as stress evaluation questioners (Perceived Stress Scale questionnaire 14) were completed by 387 dental students in the 1st to 6th years. Sleep and awake bruxism were evaluated based on the respondent’s awareness. During the manual stage of studies, a significant increase was identified, albeit with weak correlations, between stress scales, depression, anxiety, somatization, and the prevalence of awake bruxism, particularly among males. Only in females was sleep bruxism correlated with emotional parameters, whereas no significant difference in sleep bruxism was observed in males throughout the stages of the study. The manual years of dental education were found to be linked to higher levels of emotional distress and awake bruxism, particularly in men. Sleep bruxism, on the other hand, was not directly linked to emotional factors, implying a distinct etiology.

Burning mouth syndrome-BMS (also known as glossodynia, glossalgia, glossopyrosis, or oral dysesthesia)-primarily affects middle-aged women. Many possible etiologies have been proposed to account for the syndrome; most are still unsubstantiated. One possible suggested etiology involves the presence of psychological components. In this study, 45 BMS patients and 45 age-, sex-, ethnic origin-, socio-economic status-, and education-matched control subjects were evaluated for their psychopathologic profile and existence of recent life events. All subjects were requested to complete the SCL-90 questionnaire and a Recent Life Changes questionnaire. The BMS patients scored significantly higher on all SCL-90 scales except one. A MANOVA test to evaluate the overall group effect was significant at the 0.0001 level. No differences between groups were found for recent life events. The data suggest that although BMS patients are subjected to elevated psychological stress, initiation of BMS symptoms is not necessarily correlated with stressful life events.