Bacteria can be found in nearly every part of your mouth, so keeping your mouth healthy requires doing more than just brushing your teeth and attending regular cleaning visits. One of the places bacteria love to hide in is your tongue. If it isn’t cleaned, the bacteria that accumulate on it can cause bad breath and spread to your teeth, making your regular brushing less effective. To improve your oral health, try using these tips from your local dentist to clean your tongue.
Why Your Tongue Gets Dirty
It’s natural to wonder how your tongue even gets dirty in the first place. After all, you don’t use it to directly chew food, and there doesn’t appear to be any space on it for food and bacteria to accumulate in. However, the surface of your tongue is very complex. What appears to be a smooth surface is actually many tiny bumps with spaces between them. It is in these spaces that bacteria can collect. Additionally, your tongue has a thin layer of mucus on it that makes it hard for the bacteria to be removed when you eat or drink something. Over time, these bacteria produce a smelly white paste on your tongue, which is the byproduct of bacteria breaking down food in your mouth.
What You Can Use To Clean Your Tongue
Cleaning your tongue doesn’t require expensive equipment. Your toothbrush is the first tool you can use to get the job done. After you’ve finished brushing your teeth, place your brush near the back of your tongue and drag it towards the front. Gently repeat this motion until the surface of your tongue is completely pink. Then, rinse your mouth out with water as you normally would after brushing.
There are also simple devices known as tongue scrapers that can be used. These tools have hook shaped ends that allow then to collect and remove plaque from your tongue quickly. The cleaning technique is the same as the one used with your toothbrush.
Keeping Your Tongue Clean During The Day
If you’re concerned about bad breath, then keeping your tongue clean during the day will help. To reduce the number of bacteria that accumulate on your tongue, you can:
- Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash
- Brush and floss your teeth after meals
- Drink plenty of water during the day
- Avoid snacking on sugary foods or sodas
Maintaining good oral health requires that you get rid of bacteria wherever than can hide in your mouth. Just taking a few extra minutes per day to clean your tongue will leave you with fresher breath and a healthier mouth overall.
About The Practice
Cambria Smiles is a team of three dentists who believe in providing comprehensive dental care services in one location. They are committed to helping patients out of pain and giving them the tools they need to maintain their dental health at home. If you’re struggling with bad breath and want to know more about what you can do about it, you can reach out to them through their website or at 805-927-4811.