Low salivary flow and volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a reduction of salivary flow would influence the production of methylmercaptan (CH(3)SH) and hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), which are volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) known to cause oral malodor.

Study Design: The VSCs in mouth air were measured by means of gas chromatography. Spitting and masticatory (stimulated) methods were used to determine the salivary flow rates of 174 patients.