We brush our teeth to smell fresh, remove surface stains, and prevent gum disease, plaque build-up, and tooth loss. But should I brush my tongue when cleaning my mouth? Read on to understand why cleaning your tongue is an important part of oral hygiene.
Bacteria Live on Your Tongue
Red wine turns it red, and coffee turns it brown. Although it cannot develop cavities, your tongue is just as susceptible to bacteria as your teeth. Your tongue isn’t as smooth as it seems–it has elevations and crevices that can hide bacteria and debris.
Rinsing Doesn’t Work
The buildup on your tongue isn’t just harmless saliva but a biofilm, a combination of bacteria and other microorganisms bound together on the surface. Mouth rinses only remove the outermost biofilm, leaving whatever is underneath to thrive.
Should I Brush My Tongue? You Should!
Here’s what you stand to gain from cleaning your tongue consistently:
Prevents Periodontal Disease
Tongue bacteria can spread to your gums and increase the risk of gum disease. What usually starts as mild bleeding when brushing or flossing can result in abscesses, receding gums, and tooth loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion adults suffer from severe periodontal diseases worldwide. Patients are also prone to diabetes and heart complications.
Prevents Bad Breath
Tongue bacteria gives off stinky breath which lasts longer than the typical morning breath or the foul smell from certain foods. Besides lowering self-esteem, bad breath may cause social withdrawal and strain your relationships. On the bright side, you only need to brush your teeth and tongue to eliminate the bad breath and regain your confidence.
Diminished Sense of Taste
How you enjoy food depends on the sensitivity of your taste buds. Brushing your tongue clears the biofilm to enhance your taste of sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory.
Brushing Your Tongue Correctly
Clean your tongue in the following simple steps:
- Apply toothpaste on a wet toothbrush.
- Clean the tongue back and forth and side to side.
- Go over the whole tongue twice to maximize coverage.
- Rinse your mouth to rid your tongue of leftover debris and excess toothpaste.
Tongue Scrapers Can Help
You might also be asking, “Should I brush my tongue with a scraper?” Absolutely! Scraping is less intrusive than brushing, offering deep cleaning to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
Start with the back and gently drag the scraper to the front of your tongue. You can then rinse your mouth and repeat the process twice or thrice. Don’t forget to clean the scraper.
Speak to an Expert
So, how many times should I brush my tongue every day? Our experts at LeCroy Dental advise you to clean your tongue every day whenever you brush your teeth. Schedule an appointment with us today to improve your dental health.