NCT04914208

Effect of Wearing Face Masks on Salivary Parameters and Halitosis

Effect of Wearing Face Masks on Oral Health

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Göttingen · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks is recommended / mandatory to prevent infection. Patients and students have reported to experience limitations in their oral health-related quality of life, especially with regard to the occurrence of dry mouth and halitosis, while wearing face masks. Scientific studies regarding the effects of face masks have so far focused exclusively on medical staff. Studies among the general population are not yet available, but are of interest as dry mouth is a risk factor for dental diseases (e.g., caries, erosion). Therefore, the present study aims at measuring the effect of wearing different face masks on salivary parameters (unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate, pH, buffer capacity) and halitosis (volatile sulphur compounds).

Conditions

• Dry Mouth
• Halitosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	DIY face mask	Participants are wearing a DIY face mask for 4 hours (beginning between 8 and 9 a.m.). The correct fit of the face mask is checked by the study officials and corrected if necessary.
DEVICE	Surgical face mask	Participants are wearing a surgical face mask for 4 hours (beginning between 8 and 9 a.m.). The correct fit of the face mask is checked by the study officials and corrected if necessary.
DEVICE	FFP2 respirator mask	Participants are wearing a FFP2 respirator mask for 4 hours (beginning between 8 and 9 a.m.). The correct fit of the face mask is checked by the study officials and corrected if necessary.
OTHER	Waiting for 4 hours without wearing a mask	Participants do not wear any face mask for 4 hours (beginning between 8 and 9 a.m.).
OTHER	Use of fluoridated toothpaste	Participants use fluoridated toothpaste.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-09-28
• Primary completion: 2022-04-08
• Completion: 2022-04-08
• First posted: 2021-06-04
• Last updated: 2024-02-14

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany