WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BRUSHING MY TONGUE?

When you think of what you can do to protect your oral health, what comes to mind? If you immediately think about brushing your teeth and flossing, good for you, but please don’t forget to visit your dentist once every six months for a routine cleaning. However, have you ever considered adding tongue brushing to your normal routine?

Strictly speaking, brushing your tongue isn’t necessary—though it may not be a bad idea. Your tongue will naturally clean itself as it moves against food and is covered in saliva. Similarly, the bacteria on your tongue can spread to your teeth. However, it takes twenty-four hours for plaque to form, so as long as you brush every day, your smile should be safe. However, because your tongue does house bacteria, it can lead to bad breath. Therefore, if you struggle with bad breath, brushing your tongue could help. Similarly, it could be good to brush your tongue if you eat foods that cling to your tongue or leave an unpleasant aftertaste, such as garlic, onions, and salmon.

Fortunately, brushing your tongue is as simple as it seems. You can use your brush to gently remove plaque from your tongue, but some people find that brushing with a toothbrush causes gagging. If you have this problem, a tongue scraper could be all you need. These useful tools come in a variety of shapes and materials designed to meet your specific needs.

Finally, if you’re dealing with recurring bad breath, please visit our practice]. You could have gum disease or another issue that Dr. Amy Gearin should address. If you’re interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us at 702-367-4040. We’re excited to hear from you!