It is well established that our mouth is a unique habitat for microbes. Each year, approximately 20 billion bacteria attempt to colonize the oral cavity. Of course, not all of these bacteria are harmful. However, we cannot ignore the fact that some bacteria cause numerous problems such as gum diseases, bad breath, or dental abscesses.
Dentists recommend paying attention to oral hygiene to avoid these issues. While millions of people follow a regular oral hygiene routine, tongue cleaning is often neglected.
Considering that the tongue can harbor millions of bacteria and dead cells, isn’t that surprising? Therefore, if you brush your teeth every day or use dental floss regularly yet still suffer from various conditions, you should reassess how much attention you pay to cleaning your tongue.
In this article, we will discuss how to perform tongue cleaning most effectively and the benefits it provides. Let’s get started!
How Is the Tongue Cleaned?
By removing undigested food particles and toxins that accumulate on your tongue throughout the day, you can enhance your taste buds. Spending just a few minutes can prevent unpleasant residues and bacterial buildup on your tongue. There are multiple methods to achieve this.
Now, let’s examine those methods.
1. Tongue Cleaning with a Toothbrush
If you brush your teeth twice a day, you are already attentive to oral care. You can also clean your tongue using the same toothbrush.
To do this, follow the steps below to protect yourself from bacteria in seconds:
- Choose a toothbrush that fits comfortably in your mouth.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste onto the brush if you wish, or leave it plain.
- Stick out your tongue as far as possible.
- Place the brush on the back of your tongue and brush from back to front in circular motions.
- Rinse the brush with warm water and spit out the debris collected in your mouth.
- If you feel cleaning was insufficient, repeat the above steps once more.
- Finally, rinse your mouth with mouthwash or water.
2. Tongue Cleaning with Mouthwash
Mouthwash is a great option not only for your teeth but also for cleaning your tongue. Follow the steps below to clean your tongue with mouthwash:
- Select a mouthwash that meets your needs.
- Pour mouthwash into a glass. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds.
- Ensure the mouthwash reaches all areas of your tongue.
- Spit out the mouthwash and rinse your mouth with water.
3. Tongue Cleaning with a Tongue Scraper
After brushing your teeth, it is important to also clean your tongue. To learn how to clean your tongue with a tongue scraper, follow the steps below:
- After brushing, rinse your mouth.
- Dip the tongue scraper into mouthwash or warm water.
- Lean your head forward and protrude your tongue. Gently begin scraping.
- Rather than back-and-forth movements, use circular motions for about 30 seconds.
- Rinse your mouth and clean the scraper.
What Are the Benefits of Tongue Cleaning?
Halitosis, known as bad breath, is often rooted in oral issues. The tongue is a primary source of these issues because bacteria accumulate on it after consuming food and drinks.
These bacteria produce foul-smelling compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans. However, by cleaning your tongue regularly, you can prevent bacterial buildup and bid farewell to bad breath forever.
Of course, the benefits of tongue cleaning go beyond this. By spending just a few seconds each day, you can obtain the following advantages:
- Prevents bad breath.
- Removes dead cells, reducing the chance of diseases like tartar or dental plaque.
- Removes sugars and acids from the tooth surface, preventing tooth decay.
- Reduces the risk of gum infections, thereby almost eliminating the likelihood of other gum diseases.
- Eliminates fungi and viruses that damage oral tissues, preventing oral infections.
- Increases saliva production. By stimulating enzyme secretion, it improves digestion.
- Restores the tongue’s natural color and texture.
- Refreshes self-esteem and confidence.
- Supports the immune system.
- Gradually reverses taste loss caused by bacteria, allowing you to enjoy flavors even better than before.
By following the above recommendations, you can achieve highly beneficial results in tongue cleaning. For more information, visit our clinics and, after a routine check-up, receive the most accurate guidance from our specialists!
