• Call Us 417-887-1220
  • Make An Appointment
  • Visit Us
  • 417-887-1220
  • Make An Appointment
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Botox in Springfield, Missouri
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening
Menu
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Botox in Springfield, Missouri
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening

How to Keep Your Tongue Healthy

  • September 28, 2018
  • 8:06 pm
  • Dental Care
  • Dental Care, Tongue, Tongue Health, Tongue Scraper

When it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene, there’s more to it than just brushing your teeth. One of the most important parts of oral hygiene and health is cleaning your tongue. This may not be something you’ve heard a lot about, so we’ve written a blog to give you a little more information about the importance of tongue cleaning and the techniques you can use. Read on to find out what Dr. Scott says about tongue cleaning!

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Tongue?

Your tongue gathers a lot of bacteria! Food particles and bacteria get trapped on your tongue under a thing layer of mucus. This causes all sort of issues, one of which is bad breath, also referred to as halitosis. You don’t want that bacteria and food staying trapped on your tongue, so making sure that you use one of the techniques below to clean your tongue.

Use Your Toothbrush

An easy way to clean your tongue is simply using your toothbrush. You can use the bristles or buy a toothbrush that has a tongue cleaner built onto the back of the brush head. Once you’re done brushing your teeth, use the toothbrush to scrub your tongue, starting at the back and moving to the front. Make sure that you brush the entire surface of your tongue.

Use A Tongue Scraper

A more thorough method of cleaning your tongue is using a tongue scraper. This is a plastic utensil that’s soft and flexible so as not to damage your tongue. Scrape your tongue off gently and wash the scraper off in between scrapes to get rid of the accumulated mucus, bacteria, and food particles. Don’t scrape to hard or you may hurt your tongue.

How Often Should You Clean Your Tongue?

Dr. Scott would suggest that the best practice is to just go ahead and clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth. Make it a habit. You should be scraping your tongue twice a day.

Visit Dr. Scott!

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist who can help teach you and your child about how to care for their oral hygiene then come and visit Dr. Scott. Dr. Scott will make sure that your child feels comfortable while learning about how to take care of their teeth. At your visit, feel free to come with any questions you might have and Dr. Scott will be more than happy to answer them. Contact us today to set up an appointment with Dr. Scott!

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Some of the doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top center) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (top right) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (bottom left) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom center) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

More to explore

Are Fillings Necessary for Baby Teeth?

March 2, 2023

In some instances, yes, our pediatric dentist may recommend fillings for your child, even for teeth that will fall out eventually, to

Gummy vitamins for kids spilling out on a table

Gummy Vitamins & Your Child’s Oral Health

February 2, 2023

Gummy vitamins are soaring in popularity. They’re a $6 billion industry, expected to grow to nearly $9.5 billion by 2028. Parents love

Baby Chewing on a Teething Toy

Teething FAQs

January 5, 2023

Your baby has been crying more lately, and is a bit fussy. As a parent, you notice these things. What could be

Archives
Search
Categories
  • Braces (62)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (32)
  • Dental (19)
  • Dental Care (146)
  • Dental Education (178)
  • Dental Implants (13)
  • Dental Products (65)
  • FAQ (162)
  • Floss (12)
  • Pediatric (73)
  • Teeth Whitening (29)
Previous
Next

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • 540 W Lasalle St, Springfield, MO 65807
  • (417) 887-1220
  • Follow Us:
  • Dental FAQs
  • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • Pediatric Dental FAQs
  • Privacy Practices

Web Design: BigPxl