It’s important to brush and floss every day to protect your oral health. When you brush your teeth, you should also brush your tongue! There are many benefits to cleaning your tongue daily. Here are the main ones:
Removes Harmful Bacteria
Your tongue has a bumpy, porous surface that attracts both good and bad bacteria. If you neglect to brush your tongue, harmful bacteria can spread to your teeth and gums. Add daily tongue-brushing to your oral hygiene routine to help reduce your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. If it is hard to brush without gagging, stay consistent! You can train your gag reflex to be less sensitive with practice. Additionally, our team can provide personalized tips at your next checkup.
Improves Your Breath
The bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease produce strong odors. When you brush your tongue, you’re cleaning off the odor agents and making your mouth a cleaner, better-smelling place. If you are brushing your tongue every day and still struggle with chronic bad breath, schedule a visit to your dentist. You could be dealing with a problem, like gum disease or tooth decay, or another underlying health condition.
Prevents Problems Like Thrush
If you don’t brush your tongue, the yeast in your mouth can build up and result in an infection called oral thrush. Symptoms include a white film or blotches on your tongue, burning in your mouth, and a loss of taste. Oral thrush is typically treated with antifungal medication. But brushing your tongue daily can help prevent it from occurring.
We Can Help You Maintain Great Oral Health!
Brushing your tongue is a critical part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Professional cleanings and exams at the dentist every six months are also essential to help you avoid cavities, gum disease, and other issues. Hermitage Dental Group in Hermitage, TN, is proud to offer comprehensive dental services, like preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, treatment for sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and more. Please contact us today if you have any questions or want to book an appointment!