The World Health Organization recommends brushing and flossing the teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. Doing so can help prevent dental caries and improve oral health. However, many people overlook the significance of brushing and cleaning the tongue. Your tongue is critical to oral health. It hosts several bacterial colonies that can cause dental problems.
Benefits of Brushing the Tongue
Brushing and scraping the tongue offers several benefits. It removes harmful bacteria that can cause dental caries, gingivitis, and halitosis. It can also help prevent oral thrush by removing plaque from the tongue. Tongue scraping can help enhance your sense of taste. It eliminates dead cells, keeping your tongue and palate fresh.
Tongue brushing and scraping can help improve digestion. In any case, digestion starts in the mouth. Saliva contains enzymes that break down food for enhanced digestion. Cleaning your tongue helps activate these enzymes. Above all, brushing your tongue keeps your breath fresh and improves the appearance of your tongue.
Steps to Cleaning Your Tongue
You can clean your tongue using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper. When using a brush, place a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush your tongue from the back. Use back-and-forth motions, then side-to-side motions. Rinse your tongue with water. When using a scraper, place it at the back of the tongue. Pull the scraper forward to remove excess plaque and food particles. Repeat this process at different angles multiple times, then rinse with water.
Precautions When Cleaning Your Tongue
The tongue hosts several beneficial and harmful bacteria. However, rigorously brushing your tongue can remove the good bacteria and cause a microbiome imbalance. Consider using a soft-bristled brush to clean your tongue gently. Use fluoride toothpaste when brushing the tongue to help fight harmful bacteria.
Contact Us Today
Brushing and scraping your tongue should be part of your oral routine as it is critical to your dental health. Contact us for more tips on how to clean your tongue.
Our Blog | Water’s Edge Dental | Boise, ID dentist Water's Edge Dental has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Water's Edge Dental, 6657 N. Glenwood Street, Boise, ID 83714-1925 • (208) 391-8554 • watersedgedentalboise.com • 1/6/2025 • Key Phrases: dentist Boise ID •
The World Health Organization recommends brushing and flossing the teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. Doing so can help prevent dental caries and improve oral health. However, many people overlook the significance of brushing and cleaning the tongue. Your tongue is critical to oral health. It hosts several bacterial colonies that can cause dental problems.