The effectiveness of tongue scrapers compared to conventional brushing for tongue hygiene in students at the Dr. René Puig Bentz Dental Clinic at Pedro Henríquez Ureña University.
Description
In this descriptive, experimental, and quantitative study, the effectiveness of the tongue scraper compared to conventional brushing for tongue hygiene was evaluated in 60 students over the age of 18 at the Dr. René Puig Bentz Dental Clinic of the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU). The participants were divided into two groups of 30 students each, who used their respective tongue hygiene method for seven consecutive days. Bacterial load was assessed by swabbing the dorsal surface of the tongue before and after the intervention (days 0 and 7), and the results were expressed in colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). The results showed that the tongue scraper was more effective (73.3%) than conventional brushing (50.0%). At the end of the intervention, none of the participants in either group had a bacterial load classified as high. However, 100% of the participants in the conventional brushing group were in the moderate category, while 73.3% of those using the tongue scraper were in this category, and it was the only method that reduced the bacterial load to the mild level (26.7%). The predominant microorganisms following the procedure were Micrococcus spp. (86.7%), Bacillus spp. (66.7%–70.0%), Clostridium spp. (60.0%–63.3%), and Bacteroides spp. (36.7%–40.0%) in both groups. In conclusion, the tongue scraper proved more effective than conventional brushing at reducing the bacterial load on the tongue, yielding better results in lowering bacterial levels. Therefore, its incorporation is recommended as a complement to tongue hygiene practices within the preventive protocols of the Dr. René Puig Bentz dental clinic, as well as in the academic training of dental students at UNPHU.
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Steps to reproduce
After meeting the inclusion criteria and signing the informed consent form, the participants provided general information using the data collection instrument. Demographic data, including age and sex, was recorded. Then, a periodontal probing was performed to determine the participants’ periodontal health status. Before the intervention (Day 0), a sample was collected from the dorsal surface of the tongue using a sterile swab. The samples were identified and sent to Laboratorio Franja for microbiological analysis. The participants were divided into two groups: (Group A) used a conventional toothbrush and (Group B) used a tongue scraper for seven consecutive days, following the provided instructions. At the end of the intervention period (Day 7), a second sample was collected using the same procedure. The samples were sent to Laboratorio Franja again to determine the bacterial load and identify the microorganisms present. The microbiological results were expressed as colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Microsoft Word and Excel were used to record, organize, and process the data. Day 0 and Day 7 results were compared using frequency tables, percentages, and graphs to determine the reduction in bacterial load and to compare the effectiveness of the tongue scraper with that of a conventional toothbrush.
Institutions
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez UreñaNacional, Santo Domingo