STATUS OF TONGUE COATING AND PERCEIVED HALITOSIS AMONG THE PATIENTS SEEKING ORAL TREATMENT

Abstract

Background: Tongue coating is accountable for various oral and systemic diseases. It is the prime cause of intraoral halitosis. Oral cleaning has primarily been focused on tooth cleaning, leaving the tongue neglected. Studies on tongue coating status have not been conducted in Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the tongue coating status and perceived halitosis among the patients seeking oral treatment in a tertiary care centre of Lalitpur, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 randomly selected patients above 18 years of age attending the Oral Medicine and Radiology department of KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Demographic details, tooth brushing, tongue cleaning, and tobacco consumption habits and self perception of halitosis were recorded. Amount of tongue coating and plaque was assessed using Winkel tongue coating index and Silness and Loe plaque index respectively. Results: The mean value of tongue coating was 5.06±3.35. Tongue cleaning was performed by 240(61.2%) participants and daily tongue cleaning was practiced by 142(36.2%) participants. Prevalence of oral malodor was 65.8%(n=258). Twenty three (5.9%) participants suffered from halitosis on a regular basis. Tongue coating was related with gender (p=.03) and tongue cleaning frequency (p=0.02). No relationship was observed between tongue coating and perceived halitosis. Conclusions: Mean value of tongue coating was lower but higher percentage of people suffered from halitosis. Halitosis reduction and other health benefits can be motivating factors for people to clean their tongue. Oral health professionals should raise the awareness of tongue cleaning among general population.