You brush your teeth and your gums, so wouldn’t it make sense that you would also brush your tongue?

Being warm and moist, it provides the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. As a result, these bacteria release toxins that cause halitosis (bad breath).  No matter how much anyone brushes their teeth and gums, many still suffer from bad breath because they neglect their tongue.

Taking just a minute from your brushing routine in the mornings to gently scrub your tongue can make all the difference in your breath. Furthermore, brushing your tongue prevents oral disease and tooth decay the same way brushing your teeth does. Much of the bacteria you want to get rid of reside outside the teeth, on the gums and tongue. Even though it looks flat, the tongue has many microscopic bumps and ridges food and bacteria collect in.

Tongue brushes or scrapers are also cheap over-the-counter solutions for more thorough tongue cleaning. These tools help remove bacteria, as well as food debris and dead cells on the surface of the tongue. For more serious cleaning, over the counter tongue gels are available that loosen bacteria when using a tongue brush or scraper. Even some toothbrushes come with tongue scrapers on the backs of their heads, so you don’t necessarily need to buy anything else.

Brushing your tongue should be just as important to your daily routine as brushing your teeth and flossing. If you have any questions regarding how to best care for your teeth or would like to schedule an appointment, contact Greenspoint Dental today.