Though brushing and flossing your teeth have long been the key to avoiding dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease, these actually aren’t the only ways to maintain your oral health. Of course, routine dental checkups and avoiding harmful foods are effective preventative measures, but you should also add brushing your tongue to the list.
Not only will brushing your tongue help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it’ll also kill bad breath, as your tongue is often to blame for such. Take a look with Cyprus Family Dental at the importance of tongue brushing and the best way to do so.
When You Need to Brush Your Tongue
The need for brushing your teeth and flossing is not debatable. In fact, you need to do both on a twice a day basis in order to avert dental problems. Brushing helps to get rid of bacteria and plaque on your teeth while flossing does the same, but for the space between your teeth, in addition to your gums. However, if you fail to get rid of the bacteria on your tongue, then your brushing and flossing won’t be as effective.
Look at your tongue in a mirror. You will realize that the entire area is not smooth. The ridges, as well as small bumps, that are all over the tongue is where the bacteria that are in your mouth will live and stay, regardless of brushing, flossing, and even rinsing! The bacteria, in addition to causing bad breath, can also lead to tooth decay. In other words, while you can get the bacteria off your teeth, if you neglect your tongue, the bacteria will eventually find its way back to your teeth and gums.
It, therefore, becomes clear why brushing your tongue is very essential in order to get the harmful bacteria off your mouth. So, how can you brush your tongue effectively?
Brushing Your Tongue For Optimal Cleaning
You may think removing the bacteria from your tongue is as simple as giving it a couple scrubs while brushing your teeth, but you’ll need to give it a little more effort. As mentioned, the surface of your tongue is not an even surface. You’ll need to really get in there to expel bacteria from small crevices. For best results, consider the tips below:
- Look for a toothbrush with a built-in scraper on the back.
- Apply a dab of toothpaste to your brush and begin scrubbing from the back of your tongue toward the tip.
- Scrub with a tongue scraper for a more complete job. When doing so, be sure to rinse the scraper off in between strokes.
- Always rinse your mouth after brushing your tongue.
- Brush your tongue every morning and night. To make things simple, brush your tongue after brushing your teeth each time.
Don’t Forget Checkups and Dental Cleanings
Brushing your tongue is not only an effective and preventative task, it’s also very simple. It’s an easy way to improve your oral health habits and keep your teeth free of cavities. Remember to follow the tips above and don’t forget to come see us here at Cyprus Family Dental in Magna for regular checkups and teeth cleaning twice a year.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment, you can give us a call at (801) 250-0203. You can also contact us here.