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Comparison of Three Tongue Cleaners for Removing Tongue Coating

NCT07767721 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-08-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomised three-period crossover study compared the effectiveness of three tongue-cleaning devices - a bristled tongue brush, a plastic tongue scraper and a metal tongue scraper - in removing tongue biofilm. Thirty healthy volunteers aged 18 to 30 used each device once daily for 14 consecutive days, with 7-day washout periods between devices during which no tongue cleaning was performed. Tongue biofilm was measured objectively by Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D) imaging, alongside the visual Tongue Coating Index, salivary pH, and participant-reported acceptability including gag reflex.

Conditions

  • Tongue Coating
  • Oral Biofilm
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Dental Plaque

Interventions

DEVICE

Bristled tongue brush

Over-the-counter tongue brush with a bristled cleaning surface (R.O.C.S. Pro Lingua, Moscow, Russia). Participants used the device once daily for 14 consecutive days, performing a single-directional sweeping motion from the posterior vallate papillae to the anterior tip of the tongue dorsum, using gentle self-regulated pressure sufficient to alter tissue curvature without causing mucosal discomfort.

DEVICE

Plastic tongue scraper

Over-the-counter smooth plastic tongue scraper (Pearldent, DentaRAM, Istanbul, Türkiye). Participants used the device once daily for 14 consecutive days, performing a single-directional sweeping motion from the posterior vallate papillae to the anterior tip of the tongue dorsum, using gentle self-regulated pressure sufficient to alter tissue curvature without causing mucosal discomfort.

DEVICE

Metal tongue scraper

Over-the-counter rigid metal tongue scraper (Glimo, Haltron, Istanbul, Türkiye). Participants used the device once daily for 14 consecutive days, performing a single-directional sweeping motion from the posterior vallate papillae to the anterior tip of the tongue dorsum, using gentle self-regulated pressure sufficient to alter tissue curvature without causing mucosal discomfort.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Istanbul Kent University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-05-15
Primary Completion
2025-09-07
Completion
2025-09-07

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07767721 on ClinicalTrials.gov