Reduction in oral debris as a result of tongue and palate oral physiotherapy retarded initial plaque formation and reduced total plaque accumulation on the teeth.
Steven E. Jacobson, James J. Crawford and Walter R. McFall, Jr.
From the Journal of the American Dental Association
Dental Plaque Reduction
ProFresh Daily Regimen Reduces Dental Plaque
The following are excerpts from two scientific studies conducted by respected sources and previously published in medical and dental journals. These studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of tongue cleaning in reducing dental plaque formation. Results were clear that tongue cleaning significantly reduces oral debris and, as a result, slows plaque formation and accumulation.
A study1 by: E.L. Gilmore, A. Gross and R. Whitley stated:
"Tongue and plaque samples from seven of twenty-two caries-susceptible persons produced a thick, gelatinous plaque on wires. Neither tongue nor plaque samples from the remaining fifteen subjects produced a similar type of plaque in vitro. The formation of this characteristic artificial plaque was attributable to a streptococcus salivarius variant. The tongue appeared to be a major source of these variants. Following 2 weeks of tongue brushing, these organisms could no longer be isolated from either tongue or "newly" formed plaque. These results show that numbers and types of plaque organisms are altered by a regimen of daily brushing!"
Another study2 conducted by Steven E. Jacobson, James J. Crawford, and Walter R. McFall, Jr. was performed on 30 adults to determine if oral physiotherapy of the tongue and palate reduced oral debris enough to effect a reduction in initial dental plaque formation, total plaque accumulation on the teeth and gingival inflammation. The following conclusions were drawn:
"The tongue harbors and sheds many microorganisms each day. Investigators of the source of salivary microorganisms conclude that a large proportion of salivary microorganisms emanate from the tongue, and that in general, microorganisms of the tongue influence the flora of the entire oral cavity. There is also a continuous shedding of cells of the surface layer of epithelium from the tongue and palate. The availability of oral debris from these sites could contribute to plaque formation on the teeth.
In this investigation oral physiotherapy of the tongue and palate significantly reduced oral debris. Reduction in oral debris as a result of tongue and palate oral physiotherapy retarded initial plaque formation and reduced total plaque accumulation on the teeth. Therefore, oral physiotherapy of the tongue and palate contributes to overall mouth cleanliness and is a valuable adjunctive oral physiotherapy aid."
Tongue cleaning is a key component of the ProFresh System due to the proven efficacy of tongue cleaning in reducing dental plaque and reducing the anaerobic bacteria that cause halitosis. The ProFresh System includes a tongue cleaner as well as instructions to brush all mouth surfaces – including the tongue – with the ProFresh Oral Rinse. Chlorine dioxide, the active ingredient in the ProFresh rinse, is a proven anti-bacterial. Removing the bacteria in the mouth by rinsing with ProFresh reduces dental plaque even further than tongue cleaning alone.
The ProFresh System significantly reduces the amount of free floating bacteria in the mouth and consequently the amount of dental plaque that builds up around the teeth and gums. ProFresh not only eliminates halitosis, but also supports a much healthier oral cavity.
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- Eleanor L. Gilmore, Arthur Gross, and Ronald Whitley, "Effect of tongue brushing on plaque bacteria," Oral Surg., Vol 36, No. 2. August 1973, pp.201-204.
- Steven E. Jacobson, James J. Crawford and Walter R. McFall, Jr., "Oral physiotherapy of the tongue and palate: relationship to plaque control", Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol. 87, July 1973, pp. 134-139.
