Don’t Forget About Your Tongue – Your Dentist Explains Why!

You’re serious about your oral health, so you’re sure to brush and floss your teeth a minimum of two times a day. There’s a chance, though, that you may not be receiving the full benefits. Your dentist says failing to put the same effort into cleaning your tongue as is applied to your teeth could become counterproductive. Discover why this is so, and also learn what improvements you can make moving forward so you can enjoy the absolute best in oral health!

Why is Your Tongue So Important to Your Oral Health?

One reason you shouldn’t overlook your tongue when it comes to performing oral hygiene is because of its central location, it frequently touches every part of your mouth through normal conversation, eating, drinking or just random movements. Therefore, any bacteria that live on it can be transported to the other areas.

Their typical hiding places are between the tiny bumps that line the tongue called the papillae. The caustic microorganisms are attracted to any leftover food or beverage particles, and because they flourish in tight spaces, this can be the perfect environment for them.

What’s the Remedy?

The first step to making improvements is to devote more of your attention to your tongue with each oral hygiene session. Here are some steps and tools you can incorporate into your regimen:

• When using a toothbrush, gently brush from the back of the tongue to the front after first cleaning your teeth.
• A helpful tool to consider is a tongue scraper, which is designed to gently glide across your tongue to remove the layer of mucus and bacteria that can become trapped.
• A temporary aid in cleansing your tongue is to rinse with mouthwash. The liquid helps to break-up lingering debris and flush it away.

How Often Should You Clean Your Tongue?

Because bacteria are so resilient, it won’t suffice to only clean your tongue once a day. You’ll see much better results by performing oral hygiene after every meal to prevent any new bacteria growth and the resulting bad breath that can arise.

How Preventive Care Helps

Along with properly cleaning your tongue at home, it’s also helpful to visit your dentist for preventive care every six months, which includes a cleaning and check-up. The thorough removal of plaque and tartar will provide you with a fresh new start.

These combined efforts will keep your tongue clean, and it will help to fortify your teeth and allow you to maintain healthy gums. To experience the greatest results, reach out to your local dentist to schedule a preventive care visit today!

About the Author

Dr. Steven Stec is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical College of Dentistry in Lincoln. Throughout his career, he has maintained a constant focus on expanding his knowledge, which is why he has attended the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Stec additionally maintains professional membership with such organizations as the Nebraska Dental Association and the International College of Dentists. He provides preventive care at Stec Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information through his website.