When you run into your friend at the grocery store, you notice that the conversation ends abruptly after you move closer to talk to them. You cup your hand over your mouth and smell your breath. How could it smell bad if you’ve only just brushed and flossed? Your dentist can give you advice on the proper way to remove bacteria from your mouth and put a stop to your encounters with bad breath. Read on to learn how your tongue affects your breath and why it’s important to clean it properly.
Why is it Important to Clean Your Tongue?
Your tongue makes it possible for you to eat and speak. It’s such an important feature of your body that you use daily, and it’s easy to not give it a second thought. So why is it important to clean it? With your mouth and tongue funneling so much into your body, it’s easy for bacteria to build up. When it’s not properly removed, it can harden into plaque and tartar. Because your tongue is lined with little bumps called papillae, it can also catch dead skin cells and food. When everything builds up and isn’t cleaned regularly, bacteria can cause bad breath and discolor your tongue. It can also transfer to your gum and teeth if left too long to accumulate.
How You Can Clean Your Tongue Properly?
Along with your daily brushing and flossing routine, you should be delegating time to clean your tongue. There are a couple of different ways to do this effectively: brushing or scraping. If you choose to brush your tongue, you can just use your toothbrush. After brushing your teeth, but before you rinse your mouth, gently scrub your tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth. The fluoride and the minty-fresh smell of your toothpaste will help clean away bacteria and leave you with fresher breath.
If you want a different method of cleaning your tongue, you could try using a scraper. You can find them at nearly any corner drug store, and they’re relatively cheap to purchase. They gently glide and collect bacteria and debris. It’s best to move from the back to the front of your tongue with the scraper, rinsing in between so you don’t redeposit the debris. When you’re done, make sure to clean and dry the scraper so bacteria don’t linger on it.
What Should You do if it Hurts or is Uncomfortable to Clean Your Tongue?
If you’re scraping or brushing too aggressively, this could cause you discomfort. Because your tongue is so delicate, you only need to put a slight amount of pressure on your brush or scraper to effectively clean it. If your tongue is raw or you’re uncomfortable, you may want to hold off on cleaning it for a couple of days so it can recover. If you have a sore or wound in your mouth too, it’s also a good idea to hold off until it heals.
If you have a sensitive gag reflex, cleaning your tongue may be a difficult task. Try doing it slowly so you get used to the way it feels. Be sure to stick your tongue out as far as possible and relax while exhaling when brushing near the sensitive part.
Your dentist also can help you establish preventive techniques to make sure your breath doesn’t drive people away. Don’t forget to go to your semi-annual checkup and cleaning so your dentist can alert you if any small problems come up and show you ways to clean your tongue more effectively!
About the Practice
At Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry, our doctors offer a range of services and the highest quality of care. Drs. Steven Crovatto and Megan Edwards are passionate about making their patients feel comfortable and confident about their smile when they leave. With our ability to provide comprehensive care, you won’t need to fill up your schedule traveling anywhere else for your dental needs! For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website or contact us at 904-606-1788.