Why You Should Brush Your Tongue

You probably know the benefits of brushing and flossing your teeth. But did you know you should be brushing your tongue as well?

Harmful bacteria and plaque stick to our teeth from the foods we eat and drink. If not removed, this plaque can cause cavities and tooth decay. It can also lead to gum disease over time. This same harmful bacteria lives on our tongue, and can also wreak havoc from there. Brushing the tongue easily removes this bacteria.

Benefits of Tongue Brushing

Do you notice people backing away from you when you speak? Besides damaging our teeth and gums, bacteria on our tongue causes bad breath. Fear no more. Brushing your tongue will remove this bacteria and freshen your breath.

Do foods you eat taste bland? Brushing your tongue may help. Tongue brushing massages your taste buds, resulting in an improved sense of taste.

How To Brush Your Tongue

There are two ways to brush your tongue. The first way is with your toothbrush. To do this, simply brush the entire surface of your tongue with the toothbrush.

An alternative, and even more effective method is to use a tongue scraper. This is a device, made of metal or plastic, that looks like a small squeegee. To use it, hold it firmly against your tongue and scrape towards the front of your mouth.

Neither brushing your teeth nor tongue brushing is a substitute for a professional dental cleaning. A professional cleaning is the only way to remove plaque that has hardened into tartar. If it has been more than six months since your last professional cleaning, call our office to schedule an appointment.

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