Different dental care products to clean your tongue

In the human body, the tongue has a rough surface with many peaks and troughs. Although this helps in chewing the food, it also allows bacteria to settle and thrive unless proper care is taken. It is well known that the tongue has much more bacteria than the teeth. This bacteria is one of the major causes of bad breath.

There are many types of tongue cleaning tools available in the market with scrapers being the most common followed closely by tongue brushes. These tongue cleaners have soft ridges that brush across your tongue and clean the bacteria.

Both tongue scraping and tongue brushing are equally effective in reducing bacteria level and the growth of plaque. A combination of scraper-brushes is also available which enables you to brush while you scrape. Nowadays, toothbrushes with tongue scraping feature are found to be just as good.

Your dental care routine should include cleaning your tongue every time you brush your teeth. That means once every morning and night as well as whenever you have food. You should also clean your tongue if your mouth feels dry or if you’re giving off a bad odour. Regular practice makes it a habit and you’ll notice a fresher breath and improved dental health.

Tongue Brushing Techniques

For a good oral health, it’s not enough to only brush your teeth. It’s imperative to clean your tongue after every brushing of teeth. Gently brush your tongue with the bristles of the toothbrush or try a specialised brush with built-in tongue cleaner if possible.

Because bacteria grow in the peaks and ridges of tongue, proper care should be taken for effective removal. The food particles are trapped under a thin layer of mucus in the tongue which prevents cleaning with merely a mouth rinse. Apply toothpaste on your brush and carefully brush your tongue. Start from the back and work forward applying little pressure until you cover the entire surface of the tongue. Rinse with water after it’s done.

Using a Tongue Scraper

A tool to clean your tongue, tongue scrapers come in a plethora of sizes and shapes. To use a tongue scraper, gently start at the back of the tongue and gradually pull the scraper forward. Since it is mainly made of soft plastic, this helps in peeling the mucus layer and removing the debris of foot particles stuck in the tongue. Keep your scraper clean after every use by rinsing it with water.

Do not apply too much force while scraping or your tongue will feel sore and may start bleeding. A slow approach with gentle and light pressure is all that is needed to get rid of bacteria and food particles. Do it after every brushing of teeth.

In addition to tongue cleaning, some other good oral health includes:

• brushing your teeth twice a day using a toothpaste that has fluoride
• flossing your teeth daily after food
• eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet regularly
• taking an appointment with your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and an oral examination