Having a good oral hygiene routine is crucial to maintaining good dental health and avoiding issues with the teeth and gums, something that can have a major impact on your overall quality of life. Although the majority of people are well aware of most things they should be doing to maintain their oral health and beautiful smile, there is one factor that is often overlooked.
Your tongue hygiene can have a significant impact on your overall dental health, and failing to address it can cause or exacerbate a number of issues, ranging from embarrassing to painful. Improving your tongue hygiene isn’t difficult, complicated, or overly time-consuming, however, meaning it’s easy to address the problem once you’re aware of it.
Why Is Tongue Hygiene So Important?
Bacteria and food particles can build up on your tongue, just like they build up on your teeth and gums, and can lead to similar issues if they aren’t removed. On the milder end of the scale, this can include halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, usually as a result of the waste products given off by these bacteria. In more extreme cases, they can lead to plaque formation, an increased risk of infections in the mouth, and even tooth decay.
How Can I Improve My Tongue Hygiene?
As scary as these issues sound, most people can easily steer clear of them by making a few small additions to their oral hygiene routine.
The simplest and most effective way to improve your tongue hygiene is simply to scrape away any food residue and bacteria on your tongue after brushing your teeth. This can be done using a tongue scraper or, alternatively, many toothbrushes have a special surface opposite the bristles that can be used to clean the tongue. You may want to experiment with both to find which feels most comfortable and effective for you personally.
Using an antibacterial mouthwash after you’ve finished brushing your teeth and scraping your tongue can provide additional protection from bacteria and help maintain the health of your tongue, teeth, and gums.
You should also ensure that you have regular checkups with your dentist. As well as assessing your teeth and gums, they’ll be able to tell you if it seems like your tongue hygiene may be posing an issue and provide extra support if necessary.
Are There Any Other Benefits to Cleaning My Tongue
Keeping your tongue clean does have some additional benefits that go beyond the general protective effects on your dental health. By ensuring that your taste buds are not obstructed by food residue or bacterial build-ups, you can enjoy an enhanced sense of taste. The extent to which you’ll experience this will depend on the condition of your tongue previously, but it can make a big difference for some people.
Similarly, some people may also experience a noticeable improvement in the appearance of their tongue. This is because the continued presence of bacteria and food debris can lead to the development of a visually unappealing white film. Scraping your tongue with a tongue scraper or the back of your toothbrush is the most effective way to prevent this from happening.
What Should I Do If I Have More Questions?
If you have more questions about tongue hygiene or any other aspects of your dental health, your best option is to talk to a professional. Here at Selkirk Crossing Dental, our experienced and knowledgeable team would be happy to help you. Contact your dentist in Selkirk today to book an appointment or to find out more about what we can do for you.