TONGUE SCRAPER VS. OTHER INTERVENTIONS by David Campillo

INTRODUCTION

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-05-28 16:55:56 UTC

We talk about halitosis to refer to bad odour of expired air caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) remaining in the oral cavity.

Mouthwashes are commonly used to mitigate mouth odour although they just mask the problem.

With this study we sought to assess the effectivenes of other methods for mouth cleaning such as tongue scrapers, tongue brushes or toothbrushes in order to control halitosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-05-28 17:30:54 UTC

We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register database for randomized controlled trials comparing different methods of tongue cleaning to reduce mouth odour in adults with halitosis. Two trials including a total of 40 participants were reviewed. No data about direct comparation between different methods were availabale. However, in both trials they obtained as secondary outcomes the volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels after using each method, which were assessed by a portable sulfide monitor. We provide here a descriptive summary of the results presented.

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-01 19:36:45 UTC

MAIN RESULTS

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-01 19:43:14 UTC

In the

first trial they found:

-Tongue cleaner: 42% VSC levels reduction

-Tongue scraper: 40% VSC levels reduction.

-Toothbrush: 33% VSC levels reduction.

Reduced VSC levels persisted at least for 30 minutes after intervention in all groups.

Remarkably, reduced VSC levels persisted longer with tongue cleaner than using the toothbrush.

In the second study they found:

-Tongue scraper: 75% VSC levels reduction

-Toothbrush: 45% VSC levels reduction.

Adverse effects observed in both trials were nausea in 60% and lingual trauma in 10% with toothbrush, and so, participants were more likely to use tongue scraper rather than toothbrush.

CONCLUSIONS

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-02 10:16:18 UTC

We can conclude that lingual hygiene reduces SCV leveles and so, disagreeable mouth odour or halitosis. It exists a little but statistically signigicant difference in SCV using tongue scrapers or cleaners rather than toothbrushes

ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION: practical advice

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-02 10:26:06 UTC

To prevent bad mouth odour, lingual hygiene is strictly recommended after each brush. While mechanical methods of tongue cleaning are useful to properly remove SCV, mouthwashes just disguise them.

Different tools for lingual cleaning are available, such as:

Tongue cleaner, the most effective
Tongue scraper, also effective
Toothbrush, the less effective

By these means we will not only improve oral hygiene, but we will REMOVE BACTERIA, FRESH OUR BREATH and CLEANSE OUR TASTE BUDS.

And remember: a proper oral hygiene includes three basic steps: FLOSSING, BRUSHING and RINSING.

Watch the video below to see how an oral hygiene should be performed.

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-02 11:10:43 UTC

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-02 11:14:52 UTC

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-02 11:19:39 UTC

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-04 15:10:57 UTC

Tongue cleaner

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-04 16:06:29 UTC

Toothbrush

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-04 16:06:30 UTC

Tongue scraper

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-04 16:06:31 UTC

dvdcampillo61 — 2014-06-04 22:18:02 UTC