Brushing your tongue may sound a bit odd, but it’s actually a crucial part of maintaining your oral health. Your tongue is home to some of the most bacteria-rich environments in your entire body. While some of those bacteria are friendly, harmful bacteria can hide in the natural crevices of your tongue. So, should you brush your tongue?

Should You Brush Your Tongue?

The best way to beat those harmful bacteria and protect your oral health is to clean your tongue in between visits to your general dentist in Cerritos.

How to Clean Your Tongue

Ideally, you should clean your tongue once per day. You may think your antibacterial mouthwash takes care of that, but the truth is that it isn’t enough. Physically cleaning your tongue is required to clear bacteria out of the protective nooks and crannies that occur there.

There are two ways you can do this. You can either brush your tongue with your toothbrush, or you can scrape it with a specialized tool. Both options are highly affordable and effective. When you’re cleaning your tongue you should exert a little pressure but it should not cause you discomfort.

Make sure you clean the whole of your tongue’s upward surface and spit as needed. You don’t want to swallow the excess bacteria pulled off of your tongue. When you’re done, then you can rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to help clear out the stragglers.

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Tongue

If you already find oral hygiene routines onerous, adding another step may not be the best news. What you should know is that adding this additional step is easy and completely worth your time. These are the top benefits of cleaning your tongue on a daily basis.

Reduction of Total Bacteria:

We have established that your tongue is a center for bacterial activity. If you are going through all of the care of brushing and flossing, it doesn’t make sense to not brush your tongue.

If you skip cleaning the most bacteria-ridden part of your mouth, then all of those bacteria will have immediate access to your teeth and gums the moment you stop actively brushing and flossing.

Decreased Halitosis:

If you’re regularly experiencing bad breath, your tongue is the most likely culprit. Gum disease and tooth decay are other common causes, but the cleanliness of your tongue is something you can immediately address.

If you start cleaning your tongue and don’t experience a reduction in halitosis, then meet with your dentist. You may have an oral health condition that requires professional evaluation and treatment.

Erasing Discoloration:

Having a multi-colored tongue can be fun as a kid, but it loses some of its charm with age. Brushing your tongue helps to remove bacteria as well as stains. By caring for your tongue, you’ll maintain its innocuous pink color.

Reduction of Dental Caries:

If you are having dental fillings in Cerritos there are a number of possible causes. They could be dietary or due to a lack of proper brushing. However, they could also be a result of failing to clean your tongue.

When you brush your tongue on a daily basis, you reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. This reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, while providing all of the additional benefits of a clean, happy tongue.

Maximizing Your Oral Health Habits

If you have any questions regarding proper tongue cleaning or the rest of your dental hygiene routine, feel free to talk to your local dentist. They will be happy to talk you through basic daily care, and they may have additional tips to help keep your smile bright.