Prevalence and Factors Associated with Tongue Lesions Among Children Attending a University Dental Hospital in the Western Mediterranean Region of Türkiye.

PURPOSE: Tongue lesions in children are often overlooked during routine dental examinations despite their clinical relevance. This study evaluated the prevalence of tongue lesions among children attending a university dental hospital from the Western Mediterranean Region of Türkiye and explored their associations with demographic variables, systemic conditions, and oral hygiene-related factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional, clinic-based study, a total of 1097 children aged 2-13 years attending a pediatric dental clinic were included. Participants were categorized into two age groups (2-5 and 6-13 years). Tongue lesions were assessed through standardized oral examinations, and data on demographic characteristics, medical conditions, and oral hygiene practices were collected using a structured questionnaire. Associations between tongue lesions and these variables were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS: Tongue lesions were detected in 6.2% of participants, with geographic tongue representing the most common lesion. Fissured tongue was more frequent in males overall (p=0.019) and in older children, while geographic tongue predominated in younger children. No statistically significant differences in tongue lesions were observed according to age groups or sex within age groups (p>0.05). Fissured tongue was associated with allergies in older children (p=0.039), whereas tongue lesions were more common in younger children with asthma (p=0.034). A positive family history of tongue lesions was statistically significantly more common among older and younger children with fissured tongue (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively), as well as among those with geographic tongue in both age groups (p=0.001 for both groups). Although tongue brushing was more common among older children (p=0.016), moderate and severe levels of tongue plaque were also higher in this group (p=0.040 and p=0.002, respectively). Tongue lesions (older children: DMFS, p=0.004 and DMFT, p=0.009; younger children: dfs, p=0.044 and dft, p=0.012), and higher plaque levels (older children: DMFS, p=0.020 and DMFT, p=0.022) were associated with increased caries indices, whereas mouthwash use was associated with lower caries indices (older children: DMFS, p=0.009 and DMFT, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: Tongue lesions may provide clinically relevant information regarding oral hygiene, caries experience, and systemic conditions, highlighting the importance of routine tongue examination in pediatric dental assessments.