ZINC
Place in Therapy
Although there haven't
been many studies conducted explicitly examining the efficacy of zinc on
halitosis, the few studies that have been performed indicate that zinc is
effective at inhibiting volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth that are a main
contributor to halitosis. Different
salts of zinc (0.5-0.7% zinc citrate trihydrate and 0.1-0.3% zinc gluconate) in
a toothpaste formulation were more effective than a toothpaste without zinc at
reducing H2S and CH3SH levels in the mouth 12 hours after
brushing.1 A zinc acetate
0.1% solution was effective at reducing VSC levels from baseline at 30, 60 and
120 minutes after using the solution with a 69.27% reduction from baseline
remaining at 120 minutes.2 Zinc is frequently combined with other ingredients such as chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, essential oils and triclosan in different formulations (mouth rinses, toothpastes, chewing gum). These combination products consistently inhibit VSCs that contribute to oral halitosis for the short durations studied (up to 12 hours).
Zinc is one of the metal ions most frequently studied for halitosis because it is relatively non-toxic and non-cumulative and it doesn't create visible teeth discolouration.3,4 The only adverse effect that was reported from the studies reviewed was oral discomfort (one person) which didn't prevent the participant from completing the study.1
Zinc is a safe and effective option for patients looking for a pharmacological treatment for halitosis. Zinc should be used as a supplement to oral hygiene measures. It can be used alone or in combination products with a low alcohol content for a short duration (a few weeks) to help treat halitosis. Further long-term studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of using zinc for halitosis for longer durations.
References
1. Young A, Jonski G. Effect of a single brushing with two Zn-containing toothpastes on VSC in morning breath: a 12 h, randomized, double-blind, cross-over clinical study. J Breath Res. 2011;5(4):046012.
2. Rösing CK, Jonski G, Rølla G. Comparative analysis of some mouthrinses on the production of volatile sulfur-containing compounds. Acta Odontol Scand. 2002;60(1):10-12.
3. Young A, Jonski G, Rolla G, et al. Effects of metal salts on the oral production of volatile sulfur-containing compounds (VSC). J Clin Periodontol. 2001;28:776.
4. Waler SM. The effect of zinc-containing chewing gum on volatile sulfur-containing compounds in the oral cavity. Acta Odontol Scand. 1997;55:198.
Zinc is one of the metal ions most frequently studied for halitosis because it is relatively non-toxic and non-cumulative and it doesn't create visible teeth discolouration.3,4 The only adverse effect that was reported from the studies reviewed was oral discomfort (one person) which didn't prevent the participant from completing the study.1
Zinc is a safe and effective option for patients looking for a pharmacological treatment for halitosis. Zinc should be used as a supplement to oral hygiene measures. It can be used alone or in combination products with a low alcohol content for a short duration (a few weeks) to help treat halitosis. Further long-term studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of using zinc for halitosis for longer durations.
References
1. Young A, Jonski G. Effect of a single brushing with two Zn-containing toothpastes on VSC in morning breath: a 12 h, randomized, double-blind, cross-over clinical study. J Breath Res. 2011;5(4):046012.
2. Rösing CK, Jonski G, Rølla G. Comparative analysis of some mouthrinses on the production of volatile sulfur-containing compounds. Acta Odontol Scand. 2002;60(1):10-12.
3. Young A, Jonski G, Rolla G, et al. Effects of metal salts on the oral production of volatile sulfur-containing compounds (VSC). J Clin Periodontol. 2001;28:776.
4. Waler SM. The effect of zinc-containing chewing gum on volatile sulfur-containing compounds in the oral cavity. Acta Odontol Scand. 1997;55:198.