How to Effectively Clean Your Tongue

Pacific Dental Care

It is important to have a routine where you clean your teeth twice per day. Not only do you clean to keep your smile fresh, but also reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health problems. However, other areas of your teeth and mouth should not be neglected. The tongue is another part of your mouth where food debris and bacteria can develop into oral disease if left untreated. Your dentist recommends that you clean your teeth twice per day and make sure all areas of your mouth are not neglected.

Your Tongue also Deserves Cleaning Attention

Without the tongue, it is more difficult to taste and project your normal sounds when speaking. In addition, it is significantly more difficult to chew and swallow your food properly. The surface of your tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae.

The bacteria on the tongue can also redeposit onto teeth and gums, which increases the risk of plaque and tartar buildup.

How Can I Fully Clean My Tongue?

As recommended by your cosmetic dentist, your tongue should be consistently cleaned as part of your regular oral hygiene routine. During your brushing and flossing periods, make sure this area of your mouth is not neglected. There are two ways to fully clean your tongue.

While brushing, rinse out excess toothpaste after cleaning your teeth. With your brush and its soft bristles, gently brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth and rinse off any remaining toothpaste.

Scraping is another method if you prefer to clean your tongue without the toothbrush. Tongue scrapers are available at most convenient or pharmacy stores. Tongue scrapers are designed to glide along the surface of your tongue and remove the top layer mucus as well as cleaning off excess bacteria and debris. Use the scraper to clean the back of the tongue after sticking it out.

With the scraper, slide it down along the surface towards the tip using consistent pressure. Avoid brushing too fast or aggressively, allow the skin on your tongue to heal and repeat the process with more gentle motions.

If you have a sensitive gag reflex, try this. Stick out your tongue and allow your tongue to relax completely while inhaling. By doing this, you can reduce the gag reflex and clean your tongue fully without interruptions.

Before you finish up your teeth brushing routine, do a quick check-up on your tongue to make sure this area has been fully cleaned as well.

Dr. Marine Martirosyan is an experienced dentist in Glendale and Burbank with numerous years of experience applying her cosmetic dentistry expertise in the field. With a record of satisfied patients, she continues to be a valuable part of her community in transforming smiles across the region. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.