Qualitative und Quantitative Untersuchung des Schmeckvermögens vor und nach einer 14-tägigen mechanischen Zungenreinigung

In this study, we show for the first time a significant improvement in the tasting ability and a decrease in tongue coating by cleaning the tongue twice a day for 14 days with the help of an instrument, the Ora Brush®, comprising a tongue scraper plus tongue brush. Tasting ability was tested before and after 14 days of tongue cleaning using tasting strips according to the method of Mueller et al. (2003), while tongue coating was measured using the Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI) (Winkel EG et al;). In addition, the tasting ability and tongue coating were subjectively assessed before and after tongue cleaning by the test subjects on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Fifty healthy nonsmokers and 15 smokers aged between 20-91 years were enrolled in this study. Among the nonsmokers, 50% were between 20-44 years and 50% were between 45-91 years. Among smokers, 60% were between 20-44 years and 40% were between 45-91 years. In the non-smokers (n=50), an improvement was shown for all taste test values ("sweet", "sour", "salty", "bitter", "total"), regardless of gender. These improvements were significant in the total taste value and for the quality "sour". When the age groups 20-44 years and 45-90 years were compared, the older subjects (45-90 years) benefited significantly more from tongue cleaning (MTC) than younger subjects. In addition, the healthy non-smokers who had worse pre-scores in the taste test benefited the most from tongue cleaning. Lower values were found in the assessment of the subjective tasting ability on the VAS, in the taste test "total" and in all taste qualities in smokers (n= 15) compared to non-smokers. In contrast to non-smokers, tongue coating and bad breath improved subjectively. In the test, smokers showed significant improvements in the taste test values "sour" and "sweet" after a 14-day tongue cleaning with MTC. Irrespective of gender, smokers, who had a low taste capacity before the 14-day tongue cleaning, benefited the most. The main complaint with the use of the (Ora Brush®) was activation of the gag reflex, experienced by 26% of participants. Overall, complications such as bleeding of the tongue surface, burning and irritation were reported only very rarely. Complications were reported to be ranked 6.5 ± 4.6 on average on the VAS (0 =none; 100= very frequent) in non-smokers compared to 6.3 ± 14.4 in smokers. Since an overall benefit of tongue cleaning with the (Ora Brush®) could be observed and the application was easy to perform with few side effects, we propose its introduction as a fixed part of daily oral care for persons of all ages, but especially older persons who benefit more.