Tongue Cleaning: Removing Bacteria and Improving Breath

Good oral hygiene involves careful cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue using the right products and techniques. Tongue cleaning is an essential part of oral hygiene. It can help to prevent bad breath.
 

Failing to clean your tongue can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing or scraping the tongue removes bacteria, debris, and dead cells. Learn more about tongue cleaning to remove bacteria and improve your breath.
 

Tongue Cleaning or Scraping

Tongue cleaning or scraping is a fast way to remove particles from the tongue surface. The particles that include bacteria, dead cells, and food debris stick to the tongue, where they can accumulate over time.
 

You can use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clean your tongue. Adding the extra step of tongue scraping to your oral routine will improve your oral health.
 

Benefits of Tongue Cleaning

Tongue cleaning helps to remove buildup that negatively impacts oral health. Using a plastic or metal tongue scraper can make the process easier. Benefits of tongue cleaning include:

• It can help to reduce bad breath. The tongue can host a buildup of bacteria, which can cause bad odor. Scraping the tongue will help to remove the bacteria effectively.
• Cleaning the tongue helps to enhance sensations. A clean tongue improves your ability to taste better, enabling you to taste sweet, salty, sour, and bitter sensations.
• It improves the appearance of the tongue. Buildup on the tongue causes it to have a whitish appearance or coating. Scraping will remove the coating, improving the tongue’s appearance.
• It removes bacteria. Cleaning the tongue removes the bacteria responsible for unpleasant breath and tooth decay.

Bacteria builds up every time you eat and drink. If you are worried about bad breath, you should scrape your tongue after every meal.
 

Effective Tongue Cleaning

The most effective way to clean your tongue is using a scraper. It can remove 30% more debris than using a toothbrush. There are several types of tongue scrapers, including some made from stainless steel, plastic, and copper.
 

Most are slightly rounded and look like an inverted spoon. If you do not have a scraper, a toothbrush or clean spoon can do the job. Place the scraper at the back of the tongue and lightly pull it from the rear towards the tip. Repeat until you clean the entire surface of the tongue.
 

Concerns of Tongue Scraping

Tongue scraping can cause discomfort, particularly by triggering the gag reflex. To minimize this, start by positioning the scraper towards the middle of your tongue. Then, gently scrape forward towards the tip.
 

As you become more comfortable with the process, you can gradually extend the scraper farther back on your tongue. It is important to use light pressure to avoid irritation. Additionally, regularly check your scraper for any sharp edges to ensure it does not harm your tongue.
 

Getting Professional Cleaning

Tongue cleaning can help reduce buildup, but you should schedule regular professional dental cleaning. A dental practitioner will determine the underlying cause of any oral health issues. You may be dealing with a “hairy tongue” or have chronic dry mouth. The dentist can recommend special mouthwash, more frequent cleanings, or other treatments.
 

Tongue cleaning or scraping can help to reveal issues such as patches in the mouth. White patches can be due to leukoplakia or oral thrush. Your dentist can recommend effective treatment.
 

For more information on tongue cleaning, visit Cal Oaks Dental. Our office is in Murrieta, California. Call (951) 501-4900 to book an appointment today.

https://www.colgate.com/en-gb/oral-health/bad-breath/how-to-clean-your-tongue-and-avoid-bad-breath#

https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/tongue-scraping#see-your-dentist