What do your daily oral health habits look like? For most of us, our regular dental care routines include brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. While these routines are all an important part of taking care of your smile, they neglect a large part of your mouth: your tongue! This helpful group of muscles can sometimes be overlooked during our daily dental care, but your tongue is just as susceptible to plaque and bacteria as the rest of your mouth. Your Orange Park dentist explains why and how you should clean your tongue for better oral health.
Why Do I Need to Clean My Tongue?
You’re probably well aware that plaque can build up on your teeth and gums to cause issues like tooth decay and gum disease. However, this bacteria-filled biofilm accumulates on your tongue as well. Even though your tongue feels smooth, it’s covered in tiny bumps called papillae. These bumps create small grooves that easily trap and hold plaque, bacteria, food particles, and even dead skin cells. As these elements break down over time, they release foul-smelling gases that will cause bad breath no matter how often you clean your teeth. There’s a chance that the bacteria could infect your tongue or be redeposited on your teeth and gums as well.
How Do I Clean My Tongue Properly?
Thankfully, keeping your tongue clean and healthy is easy. You just have to take the time every day to thoroughly remove the trapped debris. The two most effective methods are:
- Tongue scraping: A tongue scraper is a small dental device that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re designed to gently scrape away the coating on the surface of your tongue and the particles trapped there. To use it, simply place it on the back of your tongue, pull forward, rinse the scraper, and repeat. This process should be easy and comfortable, no need to use extra force!
- Brushing your tongue: If you prefer, you can clean your tongue with your toothbrush instead. After brushing your teeth, rest the moistened toothbrush bristles on the back of your tongue. Then, dislodge the particles by gently massaging your tongue with small circular strokes, working your way forward. Using a toothbrush also gives you a chance to brush off the inside of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth as well. Just like tongue scraping, remember to brush your tongue gently to prevent any discomfort.
Take the best care of your smile and make the most out of your daily dental routine. With a little extra cleaning, you can keep your tongue happy and healthy.
About the Practice
We care about great oral health that lasts a lifetime here at Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry, which is why we encourage all our patients to get their dental checkups twice a year. This helps Dr. Steven Crovatto and Dr. Megan Edwards identify and treat any small issues before they become larger problems. It’s also a great time to go over important practices like cleaning your tongue so you can take the best care of your smile at home. If you have questions about cleaning your tongue, feel free to reach them at their website or at (904) 272-0800.