title: Impact of self-tongue brushing on taste perception in Thai older adults: A pilot study.
abstract: Oral hygiene influences taste, affecting appetite and nutrition in older adults. However, the impact of self-administered tongue brushing on their taste perceptions was unclear. This pilot study (N = 44) was aimed to observe the changes in taste thresholds using Filter Paper Disc after tongue brushing in Thai older adults. Based on the results, continuous tongue brushing for 3 months reduced tongue coat (p < 0.01) and improved subjective taste in 74% of participants. Sweet and salty recognition thresholds were reduced in both anterior and posterior tongue, while sour and bitter thresholds were reduced only in posterior tongue. No changes in umami (savory) were observed. Daily brushing was more effective than weekly brushing in improving the sweet and bitter tastes. The data suggested that tongue brushing could improve perception of multiple tastes and daily tongue brushing was recommended as routine personal care for older adults. This study supports further investigation in a randomized-controlled setting.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, Pathum-thani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jirakate
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madiloggovit
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nattida
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chotechuang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, 999 Phutthamonthon 4 Rd., Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. Electronic address: dunyaporn.tra@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Dunyaporn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trachootham
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013652:Taste Threshold; D013785:Thailand; D014059:Tongue
keywords: Elderly; Filter paper disc; Taste threshold; Tongue brushing; Tongue coat; Umami