Your Tongue is Important!
You know the drill to avoid the drill: brush twice a day, floss once a day. But here’s a question many people don’t ask — should you clean your tongue, too? The answer is yes and your mouth will thank you for it.
We use our tongues constantly to speak, sing, swallow, taste, eat, and drink. Despite that activity, odor-causing bacteria, tiny food particles, and dead cells collect on its surface. The thin, protective mucous layer on your tongue collects debris throughout the day that needs to removed. If the tongue is not regularly “refreshed,” you develop bad breath and an unclean feeling in your mouth. Several studies, including updated research from the Journal of Periodontal Research, show that cleaning your tongue significantly reduces the bacteria responsible for bad breath, especially when paired with brushing and flossing. So, what’s the best way to clean your tongue?
How to Clean Your Tongue
Cleaning your tongue is quick and easy, taking less time than cleaning your teeth. After brushing and flossing as usual:
- Use a tongue scraper (look for one approved by the ADA if possible).
- Gently scrape from back to front, rinsing the scraper after each pass.
- Repeat until your tongue feels clean.
- Rinse well, and you’re done!
Tongue scrapers are available in several different materials and shapes. The most economical material is plastic, which is often gentler to the tongue and perfect for beginners. A more durable and long-lasting choice is stainless steel. Copper is another popular option due to its natural antimicrobial properties. And as for shapes, the most common design is U-shaped, which covers a larger portion of the tongue with each scrape. Other variations include T-shaped and Y-shaped tongue scrapers. The important thing is to choose a material and type of tongue scraper that you will use every day!
If a scraper isn’t your thing, another option is to gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush. Although not as effective as a purpose-built tongue scraper, it’s still better than skipping tongue care altogether. Some toothbrushes include a built-in tongue-cleaning surface on the back of the brush head. All of these are secondary options for tongue scraping.
Supporting Your Oral Health
When combined with daily brushing and flossing and your routine visits to Lakeside Dental, cleaning your tongue is a simple way to support a fresher, healthier smile. If you’re unsure which tool is best for you or have questions about improving your at-home oral hygiene routine, our Lakeside Dental team is always happy to help. Give us a call today!
