Tongue Microflora in Edentulous Geriatric Denture-Wearers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial composition of tongue plaque of healthy edentate geriatric individuals wearing dentures. One male of 67 years-old and four females ranging from 68 to 73 years-old were involved. Plaque was obtained from an area of 10 mm 2 on the dorsal surface at the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Total numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) were determined and the predominant bacteria were isolated for identification. Significantly more bacteria (p<0.05) were recovered after anaerobic incubation (mean; 2.0 x 10 7 CFU/mg) than after aerobic (mean; 1.1 x 10 7 CFU/mg) or microaerophilic (mean; 1.0 x 10 7 CFU/mg) incubation. Out of 210 predominant strains isolated, 33% were obligate anaerobes and 66% were facultatively anaerobic. Veillonella (8% of total isolates) and Streptococcus (35% of total isolates) were the most major genera identified among obligate and facultative anaerobes, respectively. Actinomyces strains represented 27% of total isolates. Gram negative anaerobic rods and asaccharolytic Eubacterium were also detected, comprising 14% and 3% of total isolates, respectively. The bacterial composition of the tongue was somewhat similar to that of saliva and denture plaque reported in geriatric edentulous persons, suggesting that tongue plaque in geriatric edentulous persons who wear dentures may function as a major bacterial reservoir. Keywords: tongue plaque, microflora, edentulous, geriatric.