Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the tongue cleaning habits using toothbrushes among outpatients of the University of Fukui Hospital and a private hospital in Fukui Prefecture. Methods We administered a questionnaire survey to volunteers detailing tongue cleaning habits using toothbrushes. The content of the questions in this survey were as follows: gender, age, frequency of tongue cleaning, portion of tongue cleaning, and purposes of tongue cleaning. Results We had 1,014 volunteers of various ages participating in this study. Regarding the frequency of tongue cleaning, 187 (18.4%) of all participants replied, “Every day”, and 346 (34.1%) replied, “Sometimes”. Regarding tongue cleaning of the 533 participants with active tongue cleaning habits, 242 (45.4%) participants replied, “The center of the dorsum of the tongue”, and 274 (51.4%) replied, “The entire tongue”. When analyzing the purpose of tongue cleaning, 346 (64.9%) participants replied, “To remove the tongue stain”, 192 (36.0%) participants replied, “To remove the tongue coating”, and 240 (45.0%) participants replied, “To manage halitosis”. Conclusions This study clarified that a wide range of age groups in the nonhospitalized general public practiced tongue cleaning habits using a toothbrush for various purposes.
Highlights
In 1999, Yoneyama et al reported that oral care could decrease the risk of pneumonia in the institutionalized elderly [1]
The importance of oral care, including tongue cleaning has received attention, and several studies have reported on the topic
The relationship between tongue coating and food type were clari ed, and its result suggested that tongue cleaning should be performed with consideration for the food type [3]
Summary
In 1999, Yoneyama et al reported that oral care could decrease the risk of pneumonia in the institutionalized elderly [1]. The importance of oral care, including tongue cleaning has received attention, and several studies have reported on the topic. Izumi et al reported that oral care with tongue cleaning is important for preventing aspiration pneumonia, because it could improve coughing ability [2]. As the aging of the population progresses in Japan, the importance of oral care is widely known to institutionalized elderly or hospitalized patients, and to the nonhospitalized general public. Tongue cleaning is usually performed to remove tongue coating, and it has been considered to contribute to oral bacterial control and halitosis management [9,10,11,12,13].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
