Brushing teeth is a daily routine, but there is so much more to keeping your entire mouth healthy than just teeth cleaning. Looking after your tongue is another essential aspect of oral health. But how does tongue cleaning contribute to your health?
Why clean your tongue?
A clean tongue helps to lower the levels of bacteria in the mouth and prevent bad breath. By routinely brushing or scraping your tongue, you’re reducing the amount of plaque that’s forming in your mouth and eliminating dead cells that are accumulating on your tongue. Frequently cleaning your tongue helps to freshen up your mouth while also preventing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
The best way to maintain a clean tongue is through tongue scraping which is done with a small, rounded tool. A toothbrush can often work too, but a dedicated tongue scraper will be more efficient with removing build up. Consistency is key with this — scraping your tongue once won’t eliminate all bacteria and build up.
How to clean your tongue properly
Completing a tongue scraping is a relatively simple process. To begin, you stand in front of a mirror and stick out your tongue so you can see as much of it as possible. From there, gently place the rounded edge of your scraper onto your tongue, and pull forward towards the tip. You can then use a cloth or tissue to get rid of any debris that the scraper picks up.
It’s important to try and scrape the entire surface of your tongue. Naturally, scraping right near the back may cause you to gag, so it may be beneficial to start in the middle areas of your tongue to get used to the process. Once you have scraped your entire tongue, rinse your mouth out with water and clean the scraper thoroughly.
Should you brush your tongue?
While tongue scrapers are a common and easy solution, some people prefer to brush their tongues instead using their toothbrush. This is also an effective solution, as long as individuals brush all over their tongue’s surface. It should still be gentle though, to avoid breaking the skin on your tongue and causing any other problems.
Tongue cleaning benefits
There are many benefits that come from doing tongue cleaning, including:
- Better taste. Your sense of taste can be enhanced with less bacteria on your tongue.
- Improved tongue appearance. Cleaning your tongue removes the debris coating the base of your tongue.
- Bacteria removal. Having no bacteria reduces the chances of dental decay.
- Reduced bad breath. Scraping will remove odour-based bacteria more than brushing will.
How to choose a tongue scraper
Tongue scrapers can be made with a variety of different materials, including plastic and metal, as well as brush scrapers. Overall, plastic scrapers are typically the cheapest option, though they are not as durable as their metal alternatives, and need to be replaced more regularly. Metal scrapers are a little more expensive, but this is normally outweighed by how long they last and how easy they are to clean.
Your overall oral health routine
While tongue scraping is a beneficial and healthy practice, it is only one aspect of a robust oral health routine, and is not a replacement for more effective and important practices like brushing and flossing. To maintain whole mouth health and a clean tongue, you should always brush at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled brush, and combine this with daily flossing between your teeth.
It’s also beneficial to use mouthwash after cleaning your teeth and mouth, and to drink water throughout the day. Hydrating with water reduces dry mouth, helps to flush away food debris, and can prevent symptoms of bad breath. Combine all of these practices with a regular checkup and clean at the dentist and you are sure to have a healthy smile for a long time.
If you have more questions about how to clean your tongue, get in touch with us or book your next appointment. We’re always here to help you smile.
