If your dentist has recommended adding tongue brushing to your dental hygiene routine, you may wonder if it will really help your smile. Experts across the world recommend this practice to keep the mouth and teeth healthy. Here are a few reasons why you should brush your tongue and what might happen if you make it a routine habit. 

Why You Should Brush Your Tongue

1. Banishes Bad Breath

The tongue is covered in bumps and microscopic crevices, giving food scraps and bacteria places to hide. As bacteria munch on particulates, they release organic compounds that contribute to bad breath. However, brushing your tongue along with your teeth can eliminate more bacteria and particulates, helping your breath stay fresh for longer. 

2. Improves Sense of Taste 

Saliva, food particles, and dead skin cells inside the mouth can create a biofilm that coats the tongue, which can deaden your sense of taste. By brushing your tongue, you can clean your taste buds and make foods taste richer and more flavorful.

3. Prevents Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is caused by oral bacteria creating an inflammatory reaction between the gumline and the teeth. However, when you brush your tongue and eliminate bacteria, you reduce the risk of developing the disease, which could help you avoid reddened, swollen gums, bleeding, and tooth loss.

If you have questions about your oral health routine, ask the dentists at Gleason Dental Clinic in Beatrice, NE. For over 45 years, this trusted dental clinic has helped patients of all ages improve their dental health, eat and talk comfortably, and enjoy more self-confidence. Their dentists provide a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry solutions, including teeth cleaning, whitening, and Invisalign®. To find out more about how they can improve your smile, visit their website. Call (402) 228-3119 to schedule an appointment.