Your tongue is covered with hundreds of finger- like projections that give it a rough/ carpet-like surface. This allows your tongue to easily harbour plaque, bacteria, food debris, and even dead skin cells.
Why is Tongue Hygiene Important: Since your tongue harbors an estimated 50% of the bacteria in your mouth, you don’t want to neglect it. This bacteria contributes to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. So the cleaner you can keep your tongue, the better!
How to Perform Tongue Hygiene: You can keep your tongue clean and healthy by adding one or more of the following to your health care routine:
- Use your toothbrush: A toothbrush is an easy “no fuss” way to clean your tongue. However, if you have a gag reflex you may find it easier to do this at night as opposed to first thing in the morning. After brushing your teeth, rinse your brush off and spend 15-30 seconds brushing the entire surface area of your tongue. Then rinse again. You can also lightly brush the roof of your mouth and gums if you’d like.
- Use a tongue scraper: A tongue scraper is a simple, inexpensive tool that you can find online or in many drugstores. There are many different types of tongue scrappers out there, so do not hesitate to ask us which ones we recommend! To use it, grasp both of the handles and glide it over your tongue several times with light, even pressure, rinsing it off each time.
- Use antiseptic mouthwash: Swishing with mouthwash certainly isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing. With that said, using an antiseptic formula once or twice a day is a great addition to any oral hygiene routine. It’s a simple way to kill bacteria, reduce plaque on your tongue, and freshen your breath.
It’s easy to focus on your teeth and gums and forget about your tongue. But with just a little extra effort each day, you can keep your tongue cleaner and improve your overall oral health at the same time!