Effect of Timed Hygienic Measures on Oral Mucosa in a Group of Elderly Subjects

Abstract

A study was conducted to identify and compare the effect produced on oral mucosa by the application of oral hygiene by the use of either a toothette or a toothbrush at two-, three-, or four-hour intervals during an eight-hour period for ten days. The sample consisted of 48 geriatric patients randomly selected from an extended care facility. Two investigators were responsible for scoring nine dependent variables--salivation, tongue moisture, tongue color, moisture of palates, color of gingiva, condition of membranes, lip texture, lip moisture, and soft tooth debris-- twice daily. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results of the study indicated significant improvement in six dependent variables in the four-hour interval groups. In the two-hour interval groups, two dependent variables were improved significantly. The toothbrush was more effective in stimulating gingival tissue and removing soft tooth debris; the toothette was found to be more effective in producing improvement in other oral tissues.