The aim of this study was to examine in periodontitis patients with visible tongue coating the changes in microbial load (aerobic and anaerobic) of the 14 day use of a tongue scraper versus the use of a regular toothbrush to clean the tongue.
Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC's) are the most important causes of bad breath. Since the micro-organisms that produce VSC's are also periodopathogens, intuitively, one would think that there is a positive correlation between VSC levels in exhaled breath and periodontitis. However, not all periodontitis patients have bad breath. A possible explanation can be a positive relationship between tongue coating an bad breath. In the past, tongue cleaning was already researched in an oral healthy population. This research aimed to examine in periodontitis patients with visible tongue coating the changes in microbial load (aerobic and anaerobic) of the 14 day use of a tongue scraper versus the use of a regular toothbrush to clean the tongue. Additionally changes in tongue coating; and patient perception about tongue cleaning was researched.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
The patients were instructed to start cleaning the tongue by two pulling strokes along the median sulcus of the tongue, followed by two pulling strokes along the lateral edges of the tongue.
The patients who were assigned to the tooth brush group were taught to perform three forward and backward strokes along the median sulcus and at each lateral part of the tongue.
UZLeuven
Leuven, Belgium
Extension of the tongue coating
Extension of the tongue coating measured according to Miyazaki (1995) and Winkel (2003).
Time frame: 14 days
Bacterial load measured by culturing methods
Microbiological composition of the tongue coating.
Time frame: 14 days
Bacterial load measured by means of qPCR
Microbiological composition of the tongue coating.
Time frame: 14 days
Bacterial composition of unstimulated saliva (measured with the aid of culturing methods)
Microbiological composition of the saliva.
Time frame: 14 days
Bacterial composition of unstimulated saliva (measured with qPCR)
Microbiological composition of the saliva.
Time frame: 14 days
Experience of the subject of tongue coating related factors measured using a questionnaire
Experience of the subject of the breath odour, taste perception; and cleanliness of the tongue.
Time frame: 14 days
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