It is well known that brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are essential for good oral health, but cleaning your tongue should also be included in our daily grooming ritual if we want to fight bacteria the right way.
The surface of the tongue may look smooth, but underneath are the many taste buds and grooves that provide an ideal environment for micro-organisms to grow and multiply. The bacteria that accumulate on the tongue end up forming what is called a biofilm.
If the bacteria on the surface of the tongue are not removed, problems such as:
Bad breath – bacteria that are not removed from the tongue can cause halitosis. Studies show that continuous removal of bacteria from this surface eliminates 68% of halitosis.
Dental problems – Bacteria that live and breed on the tongue lead to unhealthy teeth and gums.
Altered Taste – Taste buds that are covered by biofilm, cause food to taste less flavorful.
Here’s how to clean your tongue and get rid of bacterial biofilm that could lead to oral problems:
Every time you brush your teeth, finish by brushing your tongue, don’t perform this cleaning only occasionally. Bacteria multiply and build up on the tongue again fairly quickly after you brush, so a daily routine could help keep it clean for as long as possible.
Technique
To achieve a proper cleaning, you can use your toothbrush after you’re done brushing your teeth. Another option would be to use a tongue scraper that you can easily use to remove lingual biofilm. Or you can also purchase a tongue brush, such as one that you can attach to your electric toothbrush.
It’s best to brush your tongue using multi-directional strokes, brushing side to side and then front to back to cover all the areas where bacteria can hide, circular strokes are also allowed and helpful.
After brushing your tongue, rinsing with a little mouthwash will finish the process of sanitizing the oral cavity, helping you feel better.
If you notice discomfort when cleaning your tongue, you may be cleaning too vigorously. The pressure needed to clean your tongue is no more than the pressure needed to hold your toothbrush. The tongue can become sore or painful when irritated, so if you feel discomfort, stop tongue cleaning for a day or two and then try again with a gentler approach.
Tongue cleaning can be a challenge for those with a heightened gag reflex, as touching the tongue in the posterior area can sometimes trigger involuntary responses. To avoid this, start cleaning the tongue slowly to get used to the sensation. One trick is to stick out your tongue and, when you are about to touch a sensitive part, relax your tongue completely as you exhale.
