The degree of tongue-coating reflects lingual motor function in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the relation between the degree of tongue-coating and oral function.


BACKGROUND
Tongue-coating is a moss-like deposit which forms over the tongue surface, and includes micro-organisms, food residues, and abrasive epithelia. It is considered that motor function of the tongue and lips and saliva secretion decrease in the aged and have some effect on the accumulation of tongue-coating. Although saliva secretion has been reported as a factor amongst these oral functions in contributing to tongue-coating, the correlation with the motor function of oral structures is unknown.


METHODS
The factors that contribute to the accumulation of tongue-coating were examined in 48 subjects of advanced age (mean age 80.8 +/- 7.8 years) with no severe levels of periodontal disease. Changes in the degree of tongue-coating were also examined after oral functional training in these subjects. The frequency of oral cleaning, status of oral hygiene, motor function of the tongue, and masticatory performance were examined as potential factors associated with the degree of coating.


RESULTS
The results showed that tongue pressure and the frequency of oral diadochokinesis measured by pronouncing the single syllable 'ka' as an indicator were statistically significantly correlated with the degree of tongue-coating. Several factors in oral function improved with training, and also the degree of tongue-coating decreased in 27 subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a correlation between the degree of tongue-coating and a reduction in lingual motor function and, in addition, possible improvement in level of coating by functional training of the tongue.
Kikutani
Takeshi
T
Rehabilitation Clinic for Speech and Swallowing Disorders, The Nippon Dental University Hospital, The Nippon Dental University, School of Life Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. kikutani@tokyo.ndu.ac.jp
Tamura
Fumiyo
F
Nishiwaki
Keiko
K
Suda
Makio
M
Kayanaka
Hisae
H
Machida
Reiko
R
Yoshida
Mitsuyoshi
M
Akagawa
Yasumasa
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D009043:Motor Activity; D020247:Myofunctional Therapy; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D013062:Speech Articulation Tests; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology*; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*