RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of tongue coating using Winkel tongue coating index and their relation to age, gender, smoking, systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus as well as oral hygiene habits. We prepared a chart according to the criteria determined by WHO [1980], which used to record details on age, gender, smoking, medical history, and oral hygiene habits. Clinical examination was performed in dental clinic with plain mouth mirror and probe under artificial light, by drying tongue using gauze and air spray the status of tongue was recorded using Winkel tongue coating index. A total of 353 subjects [187 female, 166 males] were included in this study, tongue coating was detected in 77 [21.8%] subjects, Winkel tongue coating index scores mean value was 6.77 +/- 2.145. There was a strong correlation between tongue coating and increasing age. Tongue coating was significantly higher in males. There was also a strong association between tongue coating and smoking, diabetes mellitus as well as oral hygiene status. Tongue coating was strongly related to subject oral hygiene habits such as tongue brushing and using mouth wash. A strong correlation was found between tongue coating and age, gender, diabetes mellitus, smoking as well as oral hygiene status in Jordanian Royal Medical Services dental patients. Both, regular using of mouth wash and regular tongue brushing improves tongue hygiene and decreased probability of tongue coating