Oral hygiene is a subject that mostly involves brushing or flossing your teeth. Yet a crucial part of good oral health that often falls by the wayside is tongue hygiene. The tongue is an invaluable part of everyday existence, as it works hand in hand with aspects such as articulation and speech formation. But it also attracts bacteria if not thoroughly cleaned. The following article discusses why maintaining tongue cleanliness is important, what can happen as a result of incorrect hygiene, and details how to properly take care of your tongue as recommended by a dental practice in Fresno, CA.

Importance of Good Tongue Hygiene

Bacteria Accumulation:

Tiny bumps called papillae cover the surface of your tongue and can trap dead cells, food particles, and bacteria. If not removed, they can make you prone to developing bad breath (halitosis), tooth decay, and gum disease.

Bad Breath:

Bacteria found on the tongue are one of many causes of bad breath. These bacteria will generate volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that cause the bad smell.

Taste Perception:

A clean tongue makes everything you eat or drink taste better. Tongue fuzz can dull the sensitivity of taste buds, making food less tasty and potentially affecting your appetite and nutrition.

Overall Oral Health:

Cleaning the tongue helps prevent bacteria from spreading to other areas of your mouth and contributing to oral infections, essential for maintaining good dental health throughout your lifetime.

Symptoms of Poor Tongue Hygiene

Oral Thrush:

A white tongue is one indication of thrush, a fungal infection most often caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast. This can happen because of poor hygiene on your tongue.

Periodontal Disease:

Tongue bacteria can travel to the gums, causing gingivitis or periodontal disease. This leads to gum disease which is one of the reasons for tooth loss, receding gums, and other severe dental problems.

Digestive Issues:

This can interfere with your digestive system leading to stomach discomfort and other gastrointestinal problems because the germs enter into our body through food.

Regular Tongue Cleaning:

Incorporate scrubbing your tongue into your natural routine of oral self-care. If you prefer something different, use a toothbrush with an incorporated tongue cleaner, or even better – invest in a good quality stainless steel health scraper to gently remove debris and bacteria from the surface of the tongue. Here are a few tips that you can follow:

Choose the Right Tool:

Tongue scrapers are usually plastic or metal and made to specifically get rid of the film your tongue becomes throughout the day. Alternatively, if a scraper is not on hand, you can make use of a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Technique Matters:

Simply stick out your tongue and press the scraper or toothbrush along to back of the tongue. Move it slowly forward with a little pressure. Each time you empty the scraper or brush it off debris, rinse away what remains. Scrub the whole surface with a towel, scrub pad, or sponge and rinse.

Use Antibacterial Mouthwash:

Antibacterial mouthwash can also be a final rinse in your oral hygiene routine to kill bacteria lurking on the tongue and throughout the whole of the mouth, helping keep your breath fresh.

Good oral health practices to be followed regularly but this is the most neglected factor that plays a crucial role in tongue hygiene. Through consistent daily tongue cleaning, you can prevent the occurrence of bad breath and diminish your risk for oral infection and other dental problems. Fortunately, cleaning the inside tongue skin can be easy and effective with proper tools & methods. A clean tongue not only leads to fresh breath but also influences both oral and digestive health. Restore your happy mouth, start with tongue scraping, and explore the beauty of completed oral care.