While you may brush and floss daily, rinse with fluoride mouthwash, and pay regular visits to a trusted dentist, you still may not have all your dental care bases covered. If you’re not using a tongue scraper on a regular basis you’re missing out on an essential aspect of oral health. Food debris and bacteria can build up on your tongue over time, and giving it a quick once-over with your tooth brush may not be sufficient. The following illustrates the importance of tongue scraping and what it can do for you oral health.

3 Things You Should Know About Tongue Scraping

1. It Reduces the Risk of Gum Disease & Cavities

Bacteria on your tongue can negatively impact your teeth and gums. Over time, these issues can develop even further, leading to gum disease or even cavities. Along with brushing and flossing, using a tongue scraper will reduce oral bacteria, thereby decreasing your risk of developing a serious dental condition. Your dentist can offer more information on which type of tongue-scraper is right for you.

2. Gets Rid of Bad Breath

Bacteria on the tongue can also cause foul breath odors. Halitosis is very unpleasant and can result in serious self-esteem issues if left unchecked. If you’re concerned about bad breath odor, try using a tongue scraper and rinsing with mouthwash. You can also increase your water consumption, which helps boost saliva production and washes away bacteria.

3. Gives “Good” Bacteria a Chance to Thrive

Some types of bacteria are actually healthy. Also known as probiotics, good bacteria will have an improved chance to thrive once you’ve removed unhealthy, illness-causing bacteria. Good bacteria is integral to dental health and can reduce inflammation of the gums while also preventing tooth enamel from being weakened by decay.

Dentist Larry G. Hubbard, DDS and the rest of his team are committed to helping patients in Statesboro, GA, achieve optimum oral health. Along with helpful tips like the above, his dental office also offers restorative procedures like root canals and tooth extractions. With options like sedation dentistry, you can look forward to a relaxed and comforting experience from the moment you step in for your appointment. Call (912) 764-9891 to schedule a checkup or visit the website to learn more about available services.