While most bacteria are innocuous, some can be dangerous. If not eliminated, these harmful bacteria can thrive and proliferate, causing a variety of oral issues, including bad breath, yeast infections (oral thrush), severe gum disease, tongue discoloration, and more. Good oral hygiene practices include using mouthwash daily, flossing once per day, brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes each, visiting the dentist at least every six months, and cleaning your tongue. The full benefits of proper oral hygiene won't be available to you if you don't regularly clean your tongue1.
Benefits of cleaning your tongue:
Gets rid of bacteria
Numerous dental issues, including foul breath, dental decay, and gum disease, are primarily brought on by bacteria. Cleaning your tongue can assist keep the proper balance of beneficial bacteria in your mouth while removing dead cells, food particles, and dangerous germs.
Enhances Your Taste Sense2
Cleaning your tongue twice daily can improve taste perception and maintain a clean palate. In this manner, while eating them, you may more easily differentiate between various tastes (sweet, salty, bitter, and sour).
Gets Rid of Bad Breath3
The lactobacilli bacteria and mutans streptococci, which are known to cause tooth decay and foul breath, can be lessened by cleaning your tongue twice a day.
Enhances Digestion4
Cleaning your tongue is crucial for triggering the salivary enzymes that help break down meals for simple digestion.
Improves Immunity
Your immune system becomes weaker or suppressed as a result of having to work harder to fight off hazardous germs and poisons that have built up in your mouth. Cleaning your tongue, however, can help get rid of dangerous germs and keep your immune system strong.
How to Clean Your Tongue?
To clean your tongue, follow these instructions:
- Extend your tongue and maintain a wide-open mouth.
- Gently place the tongue scraper on the back of your tongue and slowly pull it forward to collect dirt and saliva.
- Next, rinse the scraper with water.
- Scrape three to five more times, wiping the scraper between each scrape.
- Following your mouth-scraping session, rinse with water.
- You can use a standard manual toothbrush to brush your tongue in place of a tongue scraper. Just be careful not to gag by starting at the back of your mouth and moving forward.
Will Mouthwash Help Clean Your Tongue?
Mouthwashes can assist in cleaning your tongue and other areas of your mouth, particularly when used in conjunction with brushing. To eliminate oral germs that may result in poor breath and other diseases, think about using a mouthwash with active components. So, do not forget to include mouthwash as an essential component of your dental routine.
What Else Can I Do?
In addition to cleaning your tongue, practice the following healthy oral habits:
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Use fluoride-containing toothpaste to brush your teeth
- Use dental floss every day
- Use Listerine® mouthwash twice every day
- Maintain a balanced, wholesome diet
- Do not neglect to visit the dentist
In conclusion, many individuals frequently forget to take care of their tongues, which is a crucial part of their oral health care routine. Your tongue is really valuable. It aids with speaking, chewing, and swallowing, and because of its more than 10,000 taste buds, it enables you to appreciate the flavor of your food. The majority of the germs in your mouth reside on your tongue as well. Because of this, it's crucial to make sure you're always giving it extra attention.
