Sulphur by-product: the relationship between volatile sulphur compounds and dental plaque-induced gingivitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) and gingival health status, and to monitor the changes in VSC in early dental plaque-induced gingivitis. Using an experimental gingivitis model, twelve subjects between 19 and 28 years old, with a healthy gingival status, refrained from brushing and flossing one randomly selected half of the mandibular arch for two weeks. At baseline and during six subsequent appointments, gingival inflammation (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and sulfide levels (SUL) were measured using the Gingival Index and the Diamond Probe/Perio 2000 System. The Spearman correlation was used to compare the relationships between SUL, GI, and BOP on the brushing (B) and non-brushing (NB) sides. Data on the NB side revealed a stronger correlation than on the B side. Wilcoxon rank sum was used to evaluate the differences between mean SUL, GI, and BOP scores on the B and NB sides over time. Results indicate that SUL were the first periodontal parameter to show a significant difference between sides. SUL were significantly higher on the NB side at 4 of the 6 data collection intervals; therefore, SUL may be associated with the initiation and progression of early plaque-induced gingivitis.