There are benefits of brushing tongue in addition to flossing and brushing teeth. Throughout the day, food particles and bacteria accumulate on your tongue. Making the tongue a primary source of bacteria in the body, living and growing in crevices and bumps they hide can only be removed physically.
What are the benefits of brushing tongue?
1. Eleminate Bad Odor
Brushing the tongue removes bacteria in between the crevices of the tongue. These germs are a source of bad smell. Regular brushing of your tongue will prevent the build-up and additional growth of these germs.
2. Improves Periodontal Health
Other benefits of brushing tongue include preventing gum disease as the number of bacteria is reduced in the mouth.
3. Food will taste better
Bacteria block the taste buds on the tongue surface. Removing these germs will improve the food taste.
4. Prevents Oral Thrush
Excessive build-up of bacteria in the oral cavity causes oral thrush or also known as oral candidiasis which is a form of a fungal infection. The infection displays itself as white patches throughout the mouth, and the tongue is a primary organ for this type of infection. Brushing the tongue will prevent fungal infection.
5. Eliminates “Black Hairy Tongue”
The papillae on the tongue often pick up stains from food coloring agents and make the tongue look like dark hair. This condition is a major source of bad breath. By brushing your tongue regularly, you will rid the stains formed on the tongue surface.
6. Boosts immune system
Removing the bacterias from the mouth reduced the germs entering the digestive tract aiding the overall immune system.
How should you clean your tongue?
- Toothbrush
No need to use any fancy tool. Use your toothbrush with a short side to side and back and forth motion. Some toothbrushes also have built-in tongue scrapers behind the bristles. There are tongue scrapers which you can order also. Brushing tongue also reduces the gagging reflex often associated with brushing the backside of the tongue. Also, do not forget to brush the sides of your tongue as well.
- Tongue scrapers
These tools are designed to get rid of bacteria on the tongue by scraping the mucous layer of the tongue. There are tongue scrapers which you can order also. These tongue scrapers have a dull blade that can remove the bad bacterias from the surface of your tongue.
How often should I clean my tongue?
Cleaning your tongue twice daily as recommended as you brush your teeth is ideal. Bacteria grow and multiply fast; cleaning your tongue twice daily removes food debris and will prevent the growth of bacteria, causing bad breath. Brushing your tongue at nighttime will help reduce morning bad breath when you wake up.
After brushing or scraping your tongue, rinse your mouth thoroughly and clean your toothbrush or scraper properly to get rid of residues and prevent it from having a bad smell. When all the discoloration in your tongue is gone, you know you already have a clean tongue.