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Other ways in which researchers in
scientific fields test for bad breath are Organoleptic testing, The
BANA test, using gas chromatography and using chemiluminescence.
Organoleptic testing: This method of testing is simply a scientific
term for using one’s sense of smell to determine the degree of bad
breath. This is not an objective method and vastly left to the judge’s
various influencing factors such as health conditions, head position
and concentration needed to make an accurate interpretation. The
measurement is quantifying in terms of vague gauges of measurement
like weak, medium or strong. The judge is also at the risk of getting
desensitized to the smells towards the end of the testing.
The BANA test: The bacteria which cause periodontal diseases produce
an enzyme that breaks down the compound BANA (benzoyl-D, L-arginine-naphthylamide).
When a sample of patient’s saliva is placed with the compound it
degrades the compound and changes its color indicating the presence of
the odor causing bacteria.
Chemiluminescence testing: This method of testing is more sensitive to
the presence of low levels of sulfur compounds compared to the
Halimeter. This involves mixing a sample containing sulfur compounds
with a mercury compound resulting in fluorescence.
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