Tongue Cleaning Habits and related Factors among Medical Students in 2024: A Cross-sectional Study

This study investigates tongue-cleaning habits, an often neglected aspect of oral hygiene, and the factors influencing these practices among medical students.

A cross-sectional survey of 961 Hanoi Medical University students used a questionnaire to collect data on demographics, tongue-cleaning frequency, tools, gag reflex, and related behaviors. Statistical analyses included logistic and linear regression models and chi-square tests to explore associations with tongue-cleaning habits.

Only 65.76% of participants reported regularly practising tongue cleaning, with 47.81% doing it daily. The majority used toothbrushes (51.8%) rather than specialised tools. The gag reflex was prevalent (70.42%) and was significantly associated with reduced use of tongue brushes. Factors, such as female gender, perceived oral cleanliness, desire for information on tongue hygiene, and regular dental visits, were positively associated with better practices.

Despite medical training, only two-thirds of students practiced tongue cleaning, and less than half did so daily. Females showed greater adherence but reported stronger gag reflexes. Motivators included perceived cleanliness and information-seeking, consistent with the Health Belief Model. Toothbrush reliance stemmed from accessibility and lack of guidance, while the gag reflex, linked to gender and beverage intake, hindered adherence. Tongue-cleaning behavior is influenced by demographic, perceptual, physiological, and educational factors.

Tongue cleaning among medical students is limited by the use of suboptimal techniques and tools. Gender, hygiene practices, gag reflex, and information-seeking shape habits. Integrating tongue hygiene education into medical curricula, guided by health behavior models, is crucial for enhancing practice and promoting sustained adoption.