Do you need to brush your tongue?

Dentists often emphasize brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing between the teeth to remove the accumulated food residues and microbes. But, little has been spoken about the importance of cleaning the tongue. This is extremely important as the tongue is one of the organs of the body that contains thousands of microbes, which continue to increase as the day progresses. Moreover, the presence of taste buds and various surface imperfections on the tongue makes it an excellent hiding and breeding ground for microbes, which is why cleaning it regularly is vital.

Importance of brushing the tongue

1. Limit microbial growth: The growth of microbes in the mouth can be limited by brushing the tongue. In reality, the microbes in the mouth deposit themselves on the teeth and gums, thereby leading to cavities and gum disease. Brushing the tongue indirectly reduces the chances of developing cavities and gum disease.
2. Improves your breath: Bad breath is a huge turn-off. When people smell the foul breath on you, they immediately start to turn away, which can be quite an embarrassment. If bad breath is ignored, it can turn into a chronic form and result in halitosis. Brushing your tongue gives you a fresh breath and keeps your bad breath from returning, at least for the next few hours.
3. Thorough cleaning: Oral bacteria are difficult to get rid of just by using oral rinses or mouthwashes. They would form a sticky film, which would easily latch onto the soft tissues of the mouth and the teeth. Brushing the tongue is the only fool-proof method of eliminating these microbes.

How can the tongue be cleaned?

1. Toothbrush: The most straightforward way to clean your tongue is using your toothbrush. It is best to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush as it wouldn’t cause any abrasive damage to the taste buds or the soft tissues of the tongue. More conveniently, it can be done right after brushing the teeth as well.
2. Tongue scrapers: Tongue scrapers are designed to remove the sticky layer of microbes and mucous from the tongue thoroughly. They are inexpensive and can be picked up from your local drug store.

Please reach out to us to schedule a consultation with our dentist, and we’ll guide you further. Please call us at (928) 344-3177or reach us through online consultation.