Exploration of tongue coating deposit mechanism -Establishment of clinically applicable tongue coating evaluation method-

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25862073
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Social dentistry
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Furukawa Sayaka 東京医科歯科大学, 歯学部, 非常勤講師 (50527322)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 舌苔 / 口臭 / 舌乳頭 / RGB

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of the study was to establish a new tongue coating evaluation method by using a magnified digital photographic image. The results from observation on magnified digital photographic images showed that evaluation of tongue coating by RGB and visual observation had a similar color trend. Because the Kappa coefficients for intra- and inter-rater agreement of examiners were high, the evaluation method was considered reliable.
In addition, it was possible to discern the changes in color and thickness of tongue coating before and after tongue cleaning, and both color and thickness of tongue coating values could be evaluated lower correctly after tongue cleaning compared to before tongue cleaning.
The analysis on the relationship between tongue coating and oral health related factors in 954 halitosis patients revealed that the area of tongue coating was significantly associated with tongue cleaning habit, while there was no significant relationship with tooth brushing habit.

Free Research Field

予防歯科