So you know the importance of brushing your teeth and flossing between them, but did you know that your tongue needs extra care as well? Complete oral hygiene has to do with an overall healthy mouth. Why is cleaning your tongue important to oral hygiene? Parkcrest Dental explains.
Bacteria
First and foremost, remember your tongue is covered with bacteria. Even though your teeth may help bacteria to grow in your mouth, your tongue is just as important of a bacterial target as your teeth. Bacteria will accumulate in large amounts in the tongue area between the taste buds and other structures on the tongue. Rinsing along it doesn’t work to adequately rid the tongue of buildup.
So what is this buildup?
The buildup on your tongue isn’t just harmless saliva, but a type of biofilm, or a group of microorganisms that adhere to the surface of the tongue. Unfortunately, getting rid of it is not as simple as drinking water or using mouthwash. Mouthwashes are effective only to remove the outer cells of the biofilm. This means that cells below the outer surface still thrive. These bacteria can cause bad breath and even damage your teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to physically remove bacteria by brushing or cleaning to avoid this.
How should you effectively clean your tongue?
Experts say you should brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
Follow this very simple regiment to keep your oral hygiene in tip-top shape:
- Brush back and forth.
- Brush in circles.
- Rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
- Be careful not to brush too much, which creates the risk of skin breakage.
- Consider using a tongue scraper, available in most pharmacies or health and beauty sections of stores.
Oral Hygiene Tips From Parkcrest Dental
Tongue brushing is a simple addition to your daily oral hygiene routine. Experts recommend making it a routine habit. For more information about how to optimize your cleansing routine for the best oral hygiene, contact the professionals at Parkcrest Dental in Springfield.
