Periodontal Disease: Production of volatile sulphur compounds in diseased periodontal pockets is significantly increased in smokers

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that the consequences of tobacco smoking may include increased synthesis of toxic volatile sulphur compounds in diseased periodontal pockets.DESIGN: A cross‐sectional, parallel study comparing groups of smokers and non‐smokers with periodontitis and the level of volatile sulphur compounds in the gingival sulci of these subjects.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Levels of volatile sulphur compounds were measured in diseased periodontal sites of 12 smokers and 11 non‐smokers using a portable sulphide monitor. Anaerobic and aerobic counts of the total cultivable subgingival microflora of both groups were also determined.RESULTS: The percentage of sites per subject with high levels of sulphides (≥10 units) detected in moderate (4–6 mm) and deep (≥7 mm) periodontal pockets was found to be significantly higher in smokers, compared to non‐smokers (P= 0.040 and P= 0.005, respectively). No significant difference in the microbiological parameters tested were observed between the two groups.CONCLUSIONS: Increased production of volatile sulphur compounds may represent a further mechanism of increased susceptibility to periodontitis in smokers and also help to explain the reported association between smoking and halitosis.

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