Is it truly necessary to brush the tongue every time you brush your teeth? Continue reading to discover the benefits of brushing your tongue.
What are the benefits of brushing your tongue?
- Brushing your tongue prevents tooth decay and periodontal disease.
- It improves your breath by removing the presence of bacteria on the tongue. This bacteria can lead to halitosis or bad breath.
- It allows you to cleanse where mouthwashes and gargles cannot get to. Bacteria on your tongue sticks to a film. This is why it is important that you brush your tongue to remove this bacteria.
- It helps avoid the formation of a black hairy tongue. You will avoid the tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae from staining. This can be easily stained due to dark-colored foods and beverages such as coffee, soda, and wine.
- It helps you to properly taste foods and drinks. Leaving bacteria on the tongue will start to form a biofilm which can block your taste buds and alter the way your food and drink tastes.
- Brushing your tongue prevents gum disease which is caused by bacteria in the mouth and can cause your gums to appear red, irritates, and swollen.
- It boosts your immune system. Your tongue plays a crucial role in your overall immune system because it is the first point of contact for anything that enters your mouth. Brushing your tongue can boost your immune system by removing bacteria before it gets the chance to spread and fester its way into other parts of the body. This is especially true when you are sick. Sneezing and coughing can build up extra specks of bacteria in the mouth that can affect your immune system negatively.
- It helps you to feel fresher all around. Cleaning your tongue will contribute to an overall fresh feeling of the mouth.
How to Brush Your Tongue
One of the first ways you can brush your tongue is with your regular toothbrush. Brushing your tongue with a standard toothbrush using short side-to-side and back-and-forth strokes will do the trick. You can also use specialized tongue scrapers which are used to remove bacteria by scraping the mucous layer on your tongue. Finally, you can use toothbrushes with a built-in scraper. This is typically found in the rear of the handle and makes brushing and scrubbing the tongue a breeze.
Contact The Dental Associates of Basking Ridge
Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
