Should I Brush My Tongue?

No matter how thoroughly you brush your teeth and mouth, all your efforts will be in vain if you don’t put the same effort into cleaning your tongue.

Regularly cleaning your tongue can reduce unwanted bacteria in the mouth, further reducing the risk of bad breath, plaque build-up, coated tongue, and other oral health conditions.

Cleaning Your Tongue

While toothbrushes are very commonly available, tongue scrapers are generally not as common. Therefore, most people end up cleaning their tongues with the same toothbrush they use to brush their teeth.

And that is perfectly fine. Toothbrushes work just as well in keeping your tongue clean and can be used if you don’t find it easy to get your hands on a tongue scraper.

However, make sure to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles, as they work best for your teeth. Medium and hard bristles can scrape and damage your gums.

While cleaning your tongue, try to stick your tongue out as far as possible. Start by positioning your toothbrush at the back of your tongue, and brush lightly forward and backward. Don’t be too harsh, as that can scrape your tongue too.

Spit out any saliva that appears while cleaning your teeth, and rinse out the toothpaste with warm water. Ideally, you should follow this with a good fluoride mouthwash for best results.

Remember, cleaning your tongue is as important as cleaning your teeth. So never skip it, and always remember to be gentle while cleaning your tongue.

If you notice any abnormalities on your tongue or teeth, visit a dentist immediately.