@article{Hubungan Penggunaan Tongue Scraper pada Remaja dan Halitosis_2026, volume={5}, url={https://ejournal.stikeskesosi.ac.id/index.php/Medlab/article/view/480}, DOI={10.57213/medlab.v5i1.480}, abstractNote={
Halitosis, or bad breath, is one of the most common oral cavity health problems experienced by the community, including adolescents. This condition affects not only physiological aspects but also psychological well-being, as it can reduce self-confidence and interfere with social interactions. One of the main causes of halitosis is the accumulation of debris, anaerobic bacteria, and dead epithelial cells on the dorsum surface of the tongue. This study aimed to determine the relationship between tongue scraper use and the reduction of halitosis scores in adolescents. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test approach. The sample consisted of 44 students of Bosowa School Junior High School in Makassar. Halitosis scores were measured using the Breath Alert device before and after the use of a tongue scraper. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test in SPSS version 29. The results showed that before the intervention, the majority of respondents (45.5%) had severe halitosis scores. After using the tongue scraper, most respondents (52.3%) were in the mild halitosis category. The Wilcoxon test indicated a significant difference between the scores before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Thus, there is a significant relationship between tongue scraper use and the reduction of halitosis scores in adolescents. The use of a tongue scraper is proven effective in reducing bad breath by removing the biofilm layer from the tongue surface.
}, number={1}, journal={Jurnal Medical Laboratory}, year={2026}, month={Jan.}, pages={336–344} }