Author: Allaker, RP; Waite, RD; Hickling, J; North, M; McNab, R; Bosma, MP; Hughes, FJ
Abstract: Objective: To investigate the topographic distribution of bacterial types and loads associated with mid-morning oral malodour on the tongue surface. Design: Fifty subjects with good oral health and at least 20 natural uncrowned teeth were included. Samples were taken with sterile brushes from the dorsal anterior (DA), dorsal middle (DM), dorsal posterior (DP), dorsal posterior to the circumvallate papillae (DPCP), lateral posterior (LP) and ventral posterior (VP) tongue surfaces., Samples were cultured on appropriate media for anaerobic bacteria, aerobic bacteria, Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria, volatile sulphur compound (VSC)-producing bacteria and Streptococcus salivarius. Malodour was assessed by trained judges on an intensity basis. Results: The counts of all bacterial groups were consistently highest at the DPCP surface. Mean VSC-producing bacterial counts (colony forming units/brush x10(5)) were 1.45; 5.67, 32.52, 88.94, 6.46 and 0.33 at DA, DM, DP, DPCP, LP and VP surfaces, respectively Anaerobic, Gram-negative and VSC counts at DPCP surfaces increased with malodour intensity, whereas aerobic and S. salivarius counts decreased; however these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: it is concluded that the DPCP area consistently carries the highest load of bacteria capable of contributing to oral malodour. The study demonstrates that tongue surfaces not accessible to routine oral hygiene procedures can significantly contribute to oral malodour. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Source: ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
Publication Year: 2008