An Epidemiologic Study of Tongue Lesions in 1901 Iranian Dental Outpatients

JOURNAL TITLE: The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice

Author
1. Neda Babaee
2. Shirin Sakhdari
3. Maryam Tavasoli
4. Mina Motallebnejad
ISSN
DOI
10.5005/jcdp-9-7-73
Volume
9
Issue
7
Publishing Year
2008
Pages
8
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial, Dental Material Research Center, Dental School, Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol, Iran
    1. Dr. Babaee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Medicine of the Dental Faculty at the Babol University of Medical Sciences. She graduated from Azad University in 2000 and received her graduate degree in Oral Medicine from Tehran Univesity of Medical Sciences in 2003.
    1. Dr. Sakhdari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxiillofacial Radiology of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Babol University of Medical Sciences. She graduated from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1996. She received her graduate degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology from the same University in 2001.
    1. Dr. Tavassoli is a general dentist. She received her dental degree from Babol University of Medical Science in 2006. She is now in private practice.
  • Article keywords

    Abstract

    Aim

    The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of nine tongue conditions and evaluate their relationship to oral hygiene status and personal habits in a Northern Iranian population.

    Methods and Materials

    This descriptive study evaluated 1901 healthy subjects (1142 women, 759 men) >12 years who were referred to the Dental Faculty of Babol University during a period from February 2005 to July 2006. A questionnaire was designed according to the aims of the study. Each subject completed the questionnaire and received a complete dental and oral examination. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and Chi-square and Fisher's exact probability tests.

    Results

    Six hundred seventy-two (35.3%) of 1901 subjects had tongue lesions with a frequency of 38.6% in women and 47.7% in men which was statistically significant (P<0.0001). A strong association was found between tongue lesions and smoking (p<0.0001), black tea drinking (p=0.021), and poor oral hygiene (p<0.0001). Hairy tongue (p<0.0001), coated tongue (p<0.0001), and fissured tongue (p=0.014) conditions were significantly higher in males, while crenation of the tongue was more frequent in women (p<0.0001).

    Conclusion

    This epidemiologic survey of adult dental outpatients of Northern Iran assessing tongue conditions and lesions found the frequency of these conditions in 47.7% of males and 38.6% of females in this population. Tongue conditions and lesions were more frequent among smokers, black tea drinkers, and those with poor oral hygiene. The results of this epidemiological survey can only be interpreted for the population studied and as such cannot be generalized to the wider population of Iran, but future studies should be designed to assess the frequency of these conditions on a countrywide basis.

    Clinical Significance

    The results of this study suggest efficient oral hygiene programs and encouraging people to drink less tea and quit smoking may reduce tongue lesions in adult dental outpatients in Northern Iran.

    Citation

    Motallebnejad M, Babaee N, Sakhdari S, Tavasoli M. An Epidemiologic Study of Tongue Lesions in 1901 Iranian Dental Outpatients. J Contemp Dent Pract 2008 November; (9)7:073-080.

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