Brushing your tongue might come as an afterthought in your daily routine, but there are plenty of good reasons why it should be a regular habit. Unlike your teeth, your tongue contains bumps and ridges that play host to a large number of stubborn bacteria. Food particles, sugars, and bacteria can get stuck in these tiny peaks and valleys on your tongue, making it absolutely necessary to take extra care of it.
In fact, bacteria caught on your tongue is one of the leading causes of bad breath, or halitosis. Additionally, the bacteria that get stuck on your tongue often get transferred onto your teeth, sometimes undoing the work you have done to brush them. Some toothbrushes come with special tongue scrubbers on the backside of the bristles, but the soft bristles of the toothbrush will get the job done.
The bacteria that accumulates on the rough surface of your tongue is called biofilm. Dentists say that to remove it, you will have to do more than rinse with mouthwash or water. But luckily, cleaning your tongue is as simple as brushing your teeth. After you’ve brushed your teeth, simply add another dab of toothpaste to your brush and start brushing from the back of your tongue to the front. Brush side to side and back to front before rinsing with water. That’s it!
Taking this extra step each time you brush your teeth will make a huge difference in your oral health and will likely fend off bad breath. However, if you still notice that you are suffering from bad breath, there may be another underlying cause. Get in touch with your dentist if you still notice a problem even after brushing your tongue regularly.
Schedule Your Next Appointment Today
Brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing twice a day are necessary parts of your daily oral health routine. Just as important is a regular cleaning and checkup with your dentist. The team at Babylon Dental Care wants to help you stay on track with your dental hygiene. Our offices are open for all of our regular services now, and we are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our guests. Make an appointment today by calling (631) 983-6665 or contacting us online.
