Good dental care starts at home, and if you’re skipping your tongue when you brush your teeth, you’re missing out on an essential part of any dental routine. Brushing your tongue may feel silly, but it’s shown to remove germs and give you fresher breath. Below are a few tips for cleaning your tongue.

How to Clean Your Tongue During Your Dental Care Routine

1. Spit Often

As you brush your tongue, particles of food and bacteria collect in your saliva. Spitting frequently while cleaning your tongue gets them out of your mouth, instead of allowing them to collect against teeth or be swallowed.

2. Use a Tongue Scraper

A soft-bristled toothbrush can clean your tongue, but spring for a tongue scraper instead. These instruments are made of soft, bendy plastic and are more effective than brushes. They have a flat edge that sits against your tongue to collect everything in its path, as opposed to bristles with gaps in between them. Tongue scrapers should be washed after each pass on your tongue to avoid spreading bacteria.

3. Employ the Help of Mouthwashes

Therapeutic mouthwashes may help clean your tongue, too. Rinses that have bacteria-fighting ingredients in them, such as ones that target plaque or bad breath, will destroy most bacteria left behind after tongue brushing. Products with the ADA® seal of approval are the best option, as they’re proven safe and effective.

4. Clean It Every Time You Brush

Brushing prevents bacteria and food particles from collecting; the same logic applies to your tongue. Scrub it each time you brush to reduce the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. You should clean your tongue with the scraper at least twice a day, if not more.

When you need quality dental care advice and exams, consult with a dentist at Four Corners Dental Group. Serving Wasilla and Anchorage, AK, this family dentistry practice offers comprehensive care and guidance to all ages. If you’re struggling with bad breath or plaque, they offer preventive care like sealants, fluoride treatments, and product recommendations. Learn about their other preventive and family dentistry services online, and call the Wasilla office at (907) 376-2790 or Anchorage office at (907) 258-3384 for an appointment.