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J Med Microbiol 54 (2005), 1225-1229; DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46105-0
© 2005 Society for General Microbiology
ISSN 0022-2615

Effect of visible light on malodour production by mixed oral microflora

Nir Sterer and Osnat Feuerstein

The Hebrew University – Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthodontics, PO Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel

Correspondence Nir Sterer sterer{at}hadassah.org.il

Received 30 March 2005
Accepted 12 August 2005

Oral malodour is considered to be caused by the proteolytic activity of anaerobic Gram-negative oral bacteria. In a previous study, it was shown that these bacteria were susceptible to blue light (wavelengths of 400–500 nm). In this study, the effect of blue light on malodour production by mixed oral microflora was tested in a salivary incubation assay. Whole saliva samples were exposed to a xenon light source for 30, 60, 120 and 240 s, equivalent to fluences of 34, 68, 137 and 274 J cm–2, respectively. Malodour was scored by two judges. The levels of volatile sulfide compounds (VSC) were measured using a sulfide monitor (Halimeter), the microbial population was assessed using viable counts and microscopy, salivary protein degradation was followed by SDS-PAGE densitometry and VSC-producing bacteria were demonstrated using a differential agar. The results showed that the exposure of mixed salivary microflora to blue light caused a reduction in malodour production concomitant with a selective inhibitory effect on the population of Gram-negative oral bacteria. These results suggest that light exposure might have clinical applications for the treatment of oral malodour.

Abbreviation: VSC, volatile sulfide compounds.




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