Effectiveness of Different Tongue Cleaning Instruments in Assessment of Oral Malodour

Abstract

Objective: The study was performed to compare the effectiveness of tongue cleaner combination of brush and scraper, tongue scraper and double-bladed tongue scraper in improving oral malodour using organoleptic measurement and sulphide monitoring. Materials and methods: The study population included 107 subjects. Each subject was screened first using the organoleptic method and then by the sulfide monitor. The subjects were assigned to three groups, as follows: Group 1: The subjects used tongue cleaner combination of brush and scraper for cleaning their tongue, Group 2: The subjects used tongue scraper for cleaning their tongue, Group 3: The subjects used double-bladed tongue scraper for cleaning their tongue. All measurements were performed before and at the completion of 10 days using one of tongue cleaning instrument for each subject. Results: In each tongue cleaning group, the changes of VSC concentration scores and organoleptic scores were significantly different (P<0.001). Conclusion: Cleaning of the tongue might be effective in reducing both organoleptic scores and VSC levels. Future studies should attempt to determine the long term outcomes. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.