Why It’s Important To Clean Your Tongue

Why It’s Important To Clean Your Tongue

You’ve hopefully been keeping up with a proper dental care routine of brushing and flossing twice a day, but did you know you may be missing something just as important? Whether you’re targeting a specific need such as bad breath or simply trying to improve your oral hygiene, cleaning your tongue is an essential step. Your tongue is just as much of a target for bacteria as your teeth are, even if it’s not at risk of developing cavities itself. Here are a few different ways to remove that pesky bacteria and keep your tongue clean: 

Use a toothbrush

An easy and fairly effortless way to clean your tongue is with your toothbrush! Once you’ve finished brushing your teeth, give your toothbrush a good rinse and spend about 15-30 seconds brushing the entire surface of your tongue. Rinse your brush again and even feel free to give the roof of your mouth and gums a gentle brush. If you have a gag reflex, you might want to consider doing this at night rather than first thing in the morning. 

Use mouthwash

Swishing mouthwash is definitely not a substitute for brushing and flossing, however, it can be a huge help in eliminating bacteria in your mouth. Using an antiseptic formula once or twice a day is a great addition to your routine and a simple way to kill bacteria and reduce plaque on your teeth. Plus, it helps freshen your breath! 

Use a tongue scraper

The most effective way to clean your tongue is by using a tongue scraper. This simple, inexpensive tool can be found online or in drugstores. To use it, grasp both handles and glide it down your tongue several times with light, even pressure, rinsing it off each time. Not only can tongue scraping help remove harmful bacteria, but it can also improve your sense of taste, reduce bad breath and improve the appearance of your tongue. Get scraping! 
While using a tongue scraper is the best and most effective method of the three previously mentioned, incorporating any of the above will improve your current routine. With the simple addition of any of these methods, you’ll have a clean tongue in no time! For any additional questions, book a visit with us!

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