Oral health isn’t just about taking care of your teeth. It’s about taking care of your entire mouth, which includes your tongue. Your tongue is a muscular organ that is essential to many functions of the body like tasting, eating, swallowing and talking. Taking care of your tongue is a vital part of oral health. Keeping it clean is an essential way to keep it functioning correctly. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of tongue cleaning and how to do it.

Tongue Scrapers

The American Dental Association recommends using a tongue scraper for regular tongue cleaning. Tongue scrapers are tools that come in a variety of different sizes and shapes that are used by scraping the surface of the tongue from the back to the front. It helps remove harmful bacteria that can cause bad breath and gum disease. You could certainly do this by using your toothbrush as well, but having a designated tool just for your tongue may help remind you to do it as often as you brush your teeth.

Just Brushing Your Teeth Isn’t Enough

Although keeping your teeth clean is an essential part of maintaining oral health, it will not remove the bacteria that can grow on your tongue. This bacteria can lead to issues like chronic bad breath, tooth decay, and even gum disease. The bacteria, mixed with food particles and dead skin cells, form a layer of muck that can become so dense that it can prevent your taste buds from doing their job, leaving you with a dull sense of taste. Removing this layer of bacteria daily can help make sure you enjoy your favorite foods.

Tongue cleaning is an essential part of maintaining oral health. For any questions or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Zola Makrauer or Dr. Julie Miller at Huntingdon Valley Dental Arts.