Improvement of Halitosis by Probiotic Bacterium CMU: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Several and studies have evaluated the effect of probiotics on oral health; however, human clinical studies are still limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of Chonnam Medical University (CMU)-containing tablets on halitosis. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study included 100 adults with halitosis (age, 20-70 years). The participants were randomly assigned to the test group ( = 50) and control group ( = 50). One tablet [1 × 10 colony forming units (CFU)/tablet] was to be taken each day over 8 weeks. The concentrations of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), bad breath improvement scores, and oral colonization of were measured. Psychosocial indicators including depression, self-esteem, oral health-related quality of life, and subjective oral health status were evaluated. Most variables were assessed at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks, and number and safety variables were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. Intergroup comparisons were carried out using Student's -test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test on per-protocol analysis. Intragroup differences before and after intake were analyzed using the linear mixed-effect model (LMM). Per-protocol analysis was carried out in the test group ( = 45) and control group ( = 46). Total VSC was significantly lower in the probiotics group than in the placebo group at baseline (week 0,  = 0.046) and at 8 weeks ( = 0.017). The sum of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan did not differ significantly between the groups at baseline; however, it was significantly lower in the probiotics group than in the placebo group at week 8 ( = 0.012). Bad breath improvement (BBI) scores were significantly reduced at week 8 ( = 0.006) in the probiotics group. Statistically significant intergroup differences were observed for changes in the level of at week 8 ( < 0.001). Psychological indicators significantly improved from baseline to week 8 in the probiotics group. No safety issues were observed in either group. The levels of was higher in patients with halitosis using CMU-containing tablets. The subjective degree of bad breath and psychological indicators were improved in patients with halitosis using CMU-containing tablets.