title: Effect of timed hygienic measures on oral mucosa in a group of elderly subjects.
abstract: A study was conducted to identify and compare the effect produced on oral mucosa by the application of oral hygiene by the use of either a toothette or a toothbrush at two-, three-, or four-hour intervals during an eight-hour period for ten days. The sample consisted of 48 geriatric patients randomly selected from an extended care facility. Two investigators were responsible for scoring nine dependent variables--salivation, tongue moisture, tongue color, moisture of palates, color of gingiva, condition of membranes, lip texture, lip moisture, and soft tooth debris-- twice daily. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results of the study indicated significant improvement in six dependent variables in the four-hour interval groups. In the two-hour interval groups, two dependent variables were improved significantly. The toothbrush was more effective in stimulating gingival tissue and removing soft tooth debris; the toothette was found to be more effective in producing improvement in other oral tissues.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001130:Arizona; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010159:Palate; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012472:Salivation; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods