Efficiency of tongue-cleansing using
toothbrush, tongue scraper or dental floss
in reducing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
Authors :
- Suconta Chareonvit D.D.S. (Hons), Ph.D.
- Chintana Sirichompun D.D.S. (Hons), M.D.Sc. (Orthodontics), Dip.Th.B.O.
- Tanawan Wimoltamwat
- Pitipol Pholcharoen
Abstract :
Objective To compare the efficiency of tongue-cleansing methods using a toothbrush, a tongue
scraper or dental floss in reducing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
Materials and methods Tongue coat collected from 12 subjects by cleaning the tongue with a
toothbrush, a tongue scraper, or dental floss were cultured to investigate type and number of aerobic
and anaerobic bacteria. The ability to produce hydrogen sulfide gas of anaerobic bacteria was also
investigated. The average numbers of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria colonies as well as the percentage
of hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria obtained from each tongue cleansing method were compared
using Kruskal-Wallis test or one-way ANOVA.
Results The numbers of bacteria cultured from tooth-brushing and tongue-scraping methods were
significantly greater than those from the dental floss (p < 0.05). While bacteria cultured from
tooth-brushing and tongue-scraping methods were not significantly different.
Conclusion Tongue-cleansing methods using a toothbrush and a tongue scraper were significantly
more effective in reducing the amount of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria than dental floss.
(CU Dent J. 2013;36:75-84)
Keywords :
bacteria; dental floss; tongue scraper; toothbrush
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