Why and How You Should Clean Your Tongue

Have you ever thought about how much your tongue actually does? Without it, you wouldn’t be able to taste your favorite foods, whistle your favorite song, or tell someone about your day. That’s why, according to your dentist, it’s important to not only brush and floss your teeth, but to clean your tongue as well. Let’s take a closer look at why and how you should clean your tongue every day.

Why Do You Need to Clean Your Tongue?

You may have heard that if you don’t brush and floss, bacteria can build up on your teeth and in your gums. The same thing happens when you don’t clean your tongue. The surface of your tongue is covered with little bumps called papillae, where food particles, dead skin cells, and bacteria can collect. When these things build up, it can cause halitosis, or bad breath. Additionally, bacteria on the tongue can redeposit on the gums and teeth, so even after you brush there’s still a chance of plaque buildup.

How Do You Clean Your Tongue Properly?

There are two main ways of cleaning your tongue: brushing and scraping. After brushing your teeth but before rinsing, gently scrub your tongue from back to front with your moistened toothbrush. It’s important to go back to front so you don’t accidentally swallow any bacteria being cleared away. For extra cleanliness, brush the roof of your mouth and the inside of your cheeks as well.

If you really want to go the extra mile, you could buy a tongue scraper. You can find these at most drugstores. They’re designed to glide across the surface of your tongue and remove the layer of bacteria on the top if it. To use them, stick your tongue out and gently slide it from the back of your tongue to the front. Rinse the scraper off and repeat until the whole surface of your tongue is clean. Then, clean and dry the tongue scraper, and brush and floss as you normally would.

What If Cleaning Your Tongue Makes You Gag?

If you have a sensitive gag reflex, cleaning the back of your tongue may present a challenge. You might have to clean your tongue slowly to allow yourself time to grow accustomed to the situation. One trick that may be helpful is to relax your tongue while fully exhaling when touching a sensitive part. Breathing out usually overrides the gag reflex and allows you to touch the back of your tongue with no worries.

As you can see, cleaning your tongue is important for your oral health, just like brushing and flossing. Make sure to add it to your daily dental hygiene routine.

About the Author

Dr. J. Peter St. Clair is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing in Rowley, MA since 1996. He is also a current Faculty Club Member at the prestigious Spear Education Institute. For more dental hygiene tips, contact Dr. St. Clair on his website or call (978) 948-2030.