Avaliação da utilização de limpador de língua na redução dos níveis de leveduras na cavidade bucal / Evaluation of the use of tongue scraper in the reduction of yeasts levels in the oral cavity

O controle dos níveis de leveduras do gênero Candida spp. na cavidade bucal é considerado medida importante na prevenção da candidose, principalmente em pacientes imunocomprometidos. A partir dos relatos de que a língua é o reservatório primário de leveduras do gênero Candida na cavidade bucal, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da utilizaçãode limpadores de língua nos níveis de leveduras da cavidade bucal. Enxágues bucais em solução fisiológica (PBS) de 100 voluntários foram coletados, semeados em ágar Sabouraud dextrose comcloranfenicol e incubados a 37 °C, por 24 horas. Trinta e cinco indivíduos (15 a 70 anos) positivos para leveduras foram incluídos no estudo, obtendo-se assim a contagem inicial de leveduras. Vinte e quatro horas após a contagem inicial, foram fornecidos limpadores de língua padronizados para estes indivíduos, que foram orientados quanto à sua utilização de acordo com as instruções do fabricante. Duas horas após a limpeza da língua, seguiu-se a segunda coleta (enxágue bucal) eos números ? inicial e final ? de unidades formadoras de colônia por mililitro foram comparados estatisticamente pelo teste de Mann Whitney (a = 5%). Observou-se que a primeira contagem (mediana = 820) foi significativamente maior do que a contagem após a utilização do limpadorde língua (mediana = 280) (p = 0,012). Concluiu-se que o uso do limpador de língua diminuiu de maneira significativa os níveis de leveduras na cavidade bucal.

The control of Candida levels in the oral cavity is considered an important step to prevent candidosis, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Considering the reports that the tongue is the primary reservoir of Candida in the oral cavity, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of tongue scrapers in the oral levels of yeasts. Oral rinses in physiologic solution (PBS) from 100 volunteers were sampled, and plated on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Thirty-five individuals (15 to 70 years) positive to oral yeasts were included in the study, obtaining the initial count. Twenty-four hoursafter the initial count, standardized tongue scrapers were given to the individuals who were informed about their use according to manufacturer?s instruction. Two hours after tongue cleaning, thesecond sampling was accomplished (oral rinse) and the number of initial and final colony-forming units per milliliter were statistically compared by Mann-Whitney test (a = 5%). The first count (median = 820) was significantly higher in relation to the evaluation after the tongue scraper use (median = 280) (p = 0.012). From theses results, it could be concluded that the use of tongue scraper reduced significantly the levels of oral yeasts.

Effectiveness of a new toothbrush design versus a conventional tongue scraper in improving breath odor and reducing tongue microbiota

For centuries, specific instruments or regular toothbrushes have routinely been used to remove tongue biofilm and improve breath odor. Toothbrushes with a tongue scraper on the back of their head have recently been introduced to the market. The present study compared the effectiveness of a manual toothbrush with this new design, i.e., possessing a tongue scraper, and a commercial tongue scraper in improving breath odor and reducing the aerobic and anaerobic microbiota of tongue surface. The evaluations occurred at 4 moments, when the participants (n=30) had their halitosis quantified with a halimeter and scored according to a 4-point scoring system corresponding to different levels of intensity. Saliva was collected for counts of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Data were analyzed statistically by Friedman's test (p<0.05). When differences were detected, the Wilcoxon test adjusted for Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons (group to group). The results confirmed the importance of mechanical cleaning of the tongue, since this procedure provided an improvement in halitosis and reduction of aerobe and anaerobe counts. Regarding the evaluated methods, the toothbrush's tongue scraper and conventional tongue scraper had a similar performance in terms of breath improvement and reduction of tongue microbiota, and may be indicated as effective methods for tongue cleaning.