Purposes: To compare the oral malodor protection efficacy of a 0.454% stannous fluoride dentifrice versus a negative control (0.243% sodium fluoride) using a sulfide monitor (halimeter) as the measurement. A secondary objective was to assess the effects of tongue brushing.
Methods: This was a four-treatment, five-period, examiner-blinded, crossover, randomized study. Healthy subjects who met the entrance criteria were enrolled into the study. A 5-day acclimation period, in which subjects brushed twice daily in their customary manner with a standard sodium fluoride dentifrice, occurred prior to baseline. After baseline halimeter measurements, subjects were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (SnF2 dentifrice groups, with or without tongue brushing; negative control dentifrice groups, with or without tongue brushing) based on baseline halimeter scores, age, and gender. Test products were used three times a day. Breath measurements were taken 24 hours after baseline (after three product uses). Subjects then brushed again with the product treatment. Final breath measurements were taken 4 hours later, 28 hours after baseline. A 5-day washout separated each treatment period.
Results: 33 subjects were enrolled and completed the study. The adjusted mean volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels were significantly lower in the SnF2 groups than the NaF groups, at both 24 (P < 0.01) and 28 (P < 0.001) hours post baseline time points. Tongue brushing did not provide additional statistically significant breath benefits when compared to toothbrushing alone. Both dentifrices were well tolerated.