Acetaldehyde is the first metabolite of ethanol, and is known to be carcinogenic. Based on animal studies, long term exposure of acetaldehyde even in physiological concentration could affect cell activity. The aim of study was to investigate the relationship between acetaldehyde concentration and oral condition in healthy volunteers.
Method:
A total of 57 systemically healthy volunteers (46 males and 11 females, range 20-81 years) participated in the present study. Acetaldehyde concentration in mouth air was measured by a portable sized monitor. The parameters included medical information, acetaldehyde concentration in oral cavity, age, gender, alcohol sensitivity, drinking and smoking habits, frequency and duration of tooth brushing. Oral health parameters were amount of Candida species (C.albicans, C.krusei, C.tropicalis), number of teeth present, mean probing pocket depth, mean clinical attachment level, percentage of sites with bleeding on probing, plaque control records, and score of tongue coating.
Result:
Acetaldehyde concentration [Median (25%, 75%)] in mouth air was 178.0 (72.8, 322.6) ppb. Acetaldehyde concentration in participants with the score 3 of tongue coating status was significantly higher than those with the score 0/1 (P < 0.017). There was significantly association between acetaldehyde concentration and mean clinical attachment level (CAL) (P < 0.05). However, acetaldehyde concentration was not correlated with any other parameters.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that acetaldehyde concentration in mouth air is associated to tongue coating volume and severity of periodontal disease in systemic healthy volunteers.