Often times while brushing we forget the importance of scrubbing the tongue and making it clean. A friend once had a perception that you need not brush the tongue since toothpaste and saliva cleanse it. Some people have gone ahead to create a myth that brushing the tongue would kill your taste buds; brushing the tongue hardly would. You should take adequate measures in ensuring that you keep the tongue clean in order to avoid bad breath.
Bad breathe or halitosis is oftentimes to poor oral hygiene and also some genetic disorders. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the tongue plays a critical role in creating the odor that proceeds out of the mouth. Did you know that plaque can also be built on the tongue? Let’s take a simple practical measure, take a mirror and look at your tongue, if it is covered with whitish like substance, you shouldn’t be surprised that it could be plaque. So, what are the measures to keep in order to prevent plaque from building on your tongue, thus giving rise to bad breath?
Measures To Take To Prevent The Tongue from Building Plaque.
- Tongue Scrapers.
Tongue scrapers are one of the most neglected mouth cleaning appliances in Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians have likely proven to the literacy of the word tongue scrapers. The major method of cleaning the tongue is Nigeria is by using the toothbrush, however, research has proven that tongue scraping is way more effective than the later.
Avoid bad breath; here’s how to clean your tongue using a tongue scraper:
- Choose your tongue scraper. They often come in metallic handles or plastic handles, your choice is mostly dependent on your style. Although irrespective of the handle type chosen both have proven to be effective. Shop online for tongue scrapers.
- Draw out your tongue. Ensure that you push out as far as you can.
- Now put your tongue scrapper as backward as possible in your mouth. Ensure that you avoid the throat area so you don’t propel vomiting.
- Apply a reasonable amount of pressure while pressing the tongue with the scrapper and moving back and forth.
- After this, it is advised to run the scrapper under the tongue in order to remove debris effectively.
- Repeat steps 2 to 5 several more times. As needed, adjust your tongue scraper placement and the pressure you apply to it to prevent a gag reflex.
- Clean the tongue scraper and store it for the next use. You can scrape your tongue once or twice a day. If you gag during the process, you may want to scrape your tongue before eating breakfast to avoid vomiting.
How to clean your tongue with a toothbrush
An aforementioned, a toothbrush is less effective while cleaning the tongue to avoid bad breath. Though there are diplomatic ways you can do it right.
Here’s how to clean your tongue with a toothbrush:
- A soft-bristled brush is advised; shop for brushes online.
- Put out your tongue as far as you can
- Start from the back of the tongue, however, be careful to avoid gagging.
- Make a forward and backward movement while brushing the tongue.
- Ensure that you spit out as possible as you can and rinse with warm water.
- Clean your tongue as often as you brush your teeth.
Also, you can decide to brush with a part of hydrogen peroxide in five parts of water once a day if your tongue has any form of discoloration. Ensure that you rinse properly with warm water after this type of cleaning procedure.
Mouth Wash: Can It Clean The Tongue?
A combination of mouthwash and a proper toothbrushing procedure can help prevent bad breath. Putting into consideration that mouthwash contains active ingredients to help destroy bacteria from the mouth. To purchase mouthwash, kindly make your order here You can also visit the dentist to prescribe one for you. To book a dental appointment kindly clean here
Bad Breath: Benefits of cleaning your tongue
Here are a few benefits of cleaning the tongue.
Reduces sulfur compounds that cause bad breath
A research carried out in a study – in the Journal of Periodontology proved that tongue scrapers proved more effective in the reduction of volatile sulfur compounds that causes bad order. A tongue scraper removed 75 percent of these compounds and a toothbrush removed 45 percent of them.
Reduces bacteria on the tongue
In 2014, a study in BMC Oral Health found that adequate and regular tongue cleaning reduced bacteria on the tongue. In conclusion, the research advised that you clean your tongue regularly to avoid bad breath.
Contributes to a fresher-feeling mouth
Though the American Dental Association doesn’t conclude that cleaning the tongue prevents bad breath, however, they approved that cleaning the tongue would give your mouth a fresher feel.
Reduces plaque
According to a Trusted Source, case studies proved that people who adequately clean their tongue reduced the formation of plaque levels on the tongue.
May alter taste perceptions
According to one study, a wrong pattern of toothbrushing can affect your taste of sucrose and citric acid.
When to see a dentist
If you notice any unusual changes to your tongue, you should visit a doctor or dentist. For example, visit a doctor if your tongue:
- looks white or develops white patches; some conditions causing this include oral thrush, leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and oral cancer
- looks red or develops red or pink patches; this may be a geographic tongue or another condition
- appears smooth or glossy
- looks yellow, black, or hairy
- is hurt from trauma
- is sore or develops sores or lumps that don’t resolve after a few weeks
- severe burns
Your oral health is our concern. We are equipped with the best dentist to guide you to your smile perfection. To book an appointment with us, kindly click here.
