IADR Abstract Archives
A novel intervention for oral malodour reduction: A randomized clinical trial on the effect of Philips Sonicare TongueCare+ and BreathRx
Objectives: Oral malodour is a widespread problem in adults. Approximately 80% of the cases are of intra-oral origin caused by bacteria inhabiting the tongue. The objective of this investigation was to test the effectiveness on oral malodour of the new Philips Sonicare TongueCare+ technology (TC+). TC+ is a powered sonic motion tongue brush with soft silicone bristles, designed to optimally clean between the tongue papillae and working synergistically with the antibacterial spray BreathRx (BRx, 0.09% cetylpyridinium chloride, 0.7% zinc gluconate).
Methods: 20 participants with detectable oral malodour took part in this randomized cross-over clinical trial, comprising four treatment arms: TC+ with BRx, TC+ with water, BRx, and water with one week washout period. Malodour levels were monitored immediately before tongue brushing and at 1 hr, 3 hrs and 6 hrs after a single treatment by organoleptic score and bacterial density.
Results: TC+ with BRx showed a significantly (p-value< 0.01) higher reduction in organoleptic score and bacterial density at 6 hrs than all alternative treatments. TC+ with BRx showed better performance at 6 hrs than BRx at 1hr. Both measurements were significantly lower at all-time points after treatment: they reduced from levels characteristics of high oral malodour to barely noticeable. Organoleptic score was reduced from 3.6 ± 0.4 before treatment to 2.3 ± 0.6 at 6 hrs. Bacterial density significantly decreased from 8.9 ± 0.5 Log10 CFU cm-2 before treatment to 7.7 ± 0.4 Log10 CFU cm-2 at 6 hrs. We identified a significant positive correlation between bacterial density and organoleptic score, confirming that tongue biofilm is the dominant cause of oral malodour.
Conclusions: The results of this investigation show that the Philips Sonicare TongueCare+ tongue brush in combination with the antibacterial spray BreathRx delivers more than 6 hrs of fresh breath following a single use.
Methods: 20 participants with detectable oral malodour took part in this randomized cross-over clinical trial, comprising four treatment arms: TC+ with BRx, TC+ with water, BRx, and water with one week washout period. Malodour levels were monitored immediately before tongue brushing and at 1 hr, 3 hrs and 6 hrs after a single treatment by organoleptic score and bacterial density.
Results: TC+ with BRx showed a significantly (p-value< 0.01) higher reduction in organoleptic score and bacterial density at 6 hrs than all alternative treatments. TC+ with BRx showed better performance at 6 hrs than BRx at 1hr. Both measurements were significantly lower at all-time points after treatment: they reduced from levels characteristics of high oral malodour to barely noticeable. Organoleptic score was reduced from 3.6 ± 0.4 before treatment to 2.3 ± 0.6 at 6 hrs. Bacterial density significantly decreased from 8.9 ± 0.5 Log10 CFU cm-2 before treatment to 7.7 ± 0.4 Log10 CFU cm-2 at 6 hrs. We identified a significant positive correlation between bacterial density and organoleptic score, confirming that tongue biofilm is the dominant cause of oral malodour.
Conclusions: The results of this investigation show that the Philips Sonicare TongueCare+ tongue brush in combination with the antibacterial spray BreathRx delivers more than 6 hrs of fresh breath following a single use.