Prevalence, distribution and severity of tongue coatings according to the proposed classification of tongue coatings severity index: a gender-based evaluation.

OBJECTIVES

Existing methods to calibrate tongue coatings on the dorsum of the tongue have limitations of subjectivity, complexity, or time inefficiency. The proposed Tongue Coatings Severity Index (TCSI) was designed to fill this gap by offering a simple, reproducible, and time-efficient method for assessment. This study investigated the prevalence, distribution, and severity of tongue coatings and their clinical associations.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cohort of 200 systemically healthy patients (20-60 years) with equal gender distribution were screened for Tongue Coating Area (TCA), Tongue Coating Severity (TCS), Final Tongue Coating Severity (FTCS), and oral malodour, and compared according to periodontal status.

RESULTS

The mean TCA was higher in males, whereas TCS and FTCS showed higher values in females, although these differences did not achieve statistical significance. TCA, TCS, and FTCS scores increased with worsening periodontal status and were significantly higher in patients with oral malodour.

CONCLUSION

The TCSI enables clinicians to record both the extent and severity of tongue coatings quickly and reliably, facilitating its use in screening halitosis, monitoring periodontal disease progression, and potentially in public health surveillance. Validation in larger and more diverse populations is required prior to widespread adoption.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry (CTRI/2022/02/040688) last modified on 26/02/2022 and registered on 28/02/2022.