Affiliation

• ¹Clinic of Oral Implants, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
• ²Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Hiroshima, Japan
• ³Clinic of Occlusion and Denture, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan

Corresponding Author

Mineka Yoshikawa, DDS PhD, Associate professor, Hiroshima University Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan, Tel: +81-82-257-5677; Fax +81-82-257-5679; E-mail: mineka@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Citation

Yoshikawa, M., et al. Change of Oral Conditions after Combined Use of a Tongue Brush and Toothbrush. (2017) J Dent Oral Care 3(1): 1- 4.

Copy rights

© 2017 Yoshikawa, M. This is an Open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction: This pilot study compared the effect of tongue cleaning by using a tongue brush alone and the one of combined using a tongue brush and toothbrush.
Materials and Methods: 20 healthy young men were studied. The effect of tongue cleaning was assessed according to the following three criteria, including a tongue coating index, H₂S concentration and oral bacterial count. These criteria were applied after tooth brushing combined with tongue brushing and then compared with the data by using a tongue brush alone. To evaluate the need for ongoing combined oral cleaning, its effect was evaluated on the day after a 7-day cleaning regimen’s completion, and we compared it and the data obtained on the day before the study.
Results: After using a tongue brush alone, the tongue coating index improved and the oral bacterial count decreased (p < 0.05). After combined oral cleaning with both a tongue brush and toothbrush, significant improvements were revealed for the three criteria (p < 0.01). While, no significant difference was observed in the tongue coating index, H₂S concentration, and oral bacterial count between on the first day before cleaning and on the next day after the 7-day cleaning regimen completion.
Conclusion: This study indicated that oral cleaning by using a tongue brush alone resulted in a minimal decrease in the oral bacterial count, but significant improvement was achieved by combined use with a toothbrush. The results also suggested the necessity of daily combined use of a tongue brush and toothbrush for maintenance of a healthy oral cavity.