title: Effect of oral cleaning using mouthwash and a mouth moisturizing gel on bacterial number and moisture level of the tongue surface of older adults requiring nursing care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of oral cleaning using a mouthwash and a mouth moisturizing gel on the number of bacteria and moisture level of the tongue surface of older adults requiring nursing care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 60 participants were randomly divided into groups according to their use of oral cleaning procedures as follows: group 1, mouthwash and a moisturizing gel (M + m); group 2, mouthwash (M); group 3, water and a moisturizing gel (W + m); and group 4, water (W). The number of anaerobic bacteria, tongue coating index and moisture level of the tongue surface were measured at baseline, and after 1 and 2 weeks after cleaning commenced to compare the effectiveness of oral cleaning among the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in baseline measurements among the groups. The numbers of anaerobic bacteria decreased for all groups, and there were significant differences in the rates of decrease after 2 weeks between the M + m and W + m groups, M + m and W groups, and M and W groups. The tongue coating index decreased for all groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of decrease among the groups after 1 week, and there was a significant difference after 2 weeks between the M + m and W groups. The moisture levels of all groups increased, and there were significant differences after 2 weeks between the M + m and M groups, the M + m and W groups, and the W + m and W groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most effective cleaning technique was the combination of a mouthwash and a moisturizing gel. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 116-121.
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Sachi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakurai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic; D058491:Bacterial Load; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D014059:Tongue / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes
keywords: aged; mouthwash; nursing care; oral hygiene; tongue