When it comes to the discussion of everyday, personal dental cleanings, the tongue is often an afterthought. From flossing to brushing, most of the focus is on the teeth. While these tasks are essential to one’s overall oral health, so is cleaning your tongue. To understand why you should add it to your routine, here’s what you need to know.

Why & How to Clean Your Tongue

It’s Importance

Like your teeth, your tongue gets covered in everything you eat and drink, and bacteria can get left behind. Since flossing and brushing only tackles the teeth, the residue will remain on your tongue, especially since it’s a textured surface. If the bacteria is left there for too long, you’ll likely experience halitosis, which is more commonly known as bad breath.

Depending on your situation, this bacteria can also increase the likelihood of oral thrush. Essentially an oral yeast infection, oral thrush is most common in people with a compromised immune system or major underlying health concerns. 

Method

While tongue cleaning is a critical aspect of enforcing proper dental cleaning, it’s not complicated. It’s even easy to teach your kids. Although there are specialized tongue scrapers on the market, using your toothbrush will suffice.

Simply brush the surface of your tongue back and forth, then side to side. Be gentle, and don’t go overboard with it—a few passes will do. Once you’re done, rinse your mouth one last time with water.

As important as it is to clean your tongue daily, you still need to schedule a professional dental cleaning. If you’re seeking an experienced and friendly dental practice, make an appointment at Comfort Family Dentistry. Their team is highly-trained and dedicated to upholding the standards established by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You can learn more about their approach on their website and call (518) 235-3862 with any questions you may have.