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Back when we were still young, we had been told to brush our teeth and floss the crevices in between. However, what we may haven’t been clear about is if we also need to brush our tongue or not. Do you know what the best dentist in Miami would say? We should.  

Our tongue is an integral part of the initial stage of breaking down food. Every food that we take in touches our tongue. Thus, it is only important that we think of the cleanliness of our tongue as part of our oral health. The tongue has tiny crevices and hard-to-reach areas where bacteria can hide unless we remove them physically.

Why Should You Brush Your Tongue?  

It is a piece of common advice by dentists that you should brush your tongue regularly. Brushing your tongue is crucial for the following reasons:  

1. Solves bad breath: Bacteria can hide in the tiny structures of your tongue, and if not removed, can result in bad breath or halitosis. When you brush your tongue daily, this will make your breath smell fresher and cleaner.    

2. Rinsing does not remove bacteria totally: You may think that it’s enough to just rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash, but that isn’t true. Although rinsing can remove bacteria, it is not enough to eliminate most of them, if not all. Bacteria can cling to sticky films on your tongue and thus needs scraping. However, this is not to say that rinsing with a mouthwash is not essential. It only means that rinsing alone is insufficient.  

3. Prevents tooth decay: Brushing your tongue ensures that you remove all the bacteria in your mouth. If not, these bacteria can go to your gums or teeth and cause tooth decay or periodontal diseases.    

4. Results to a fresher-feeling mouth: When you include tongue cleaning as part of your twice-daily oral care, your mouth will feel fresher. As a result, you will be confident in conversing with other people without worrying about bad breath.  

How Should You Brush Your Tongue?  

Brushing your tongue is rather simple. However, when you’re not careful, it may cause gagging. When you have kids at home, assist them when they get to this part of oral care. Here are various ways to effectively brush your tongue:  

Toothbrushes: Brushing your tongue does not require fancy tools. Your regular toothbrush can do it for you. Brush your tongue side to side, and do not leave any part of it untouched.    

Specialized tongue scrapers: These are specialized tools you can use to scrape and remove bacteria from your tongue. They appear to have a corrugated surface, making it easier to eliminate bacteria and prevent periodontal diseases.  

Toothbrushes with built-in scrapers: Some toothbrushes are also designed with scrapers at the back part. Just reverse your toothbrush and scrape through your tongue using the side that has grooves.    

Tongue Cleaning Should Be Part of Your Overall Oral Care  

Whether you use a regular toothbrush or a specialized scraper, tongue cleaning is a great addition to your oral care and must be taught to kids and everyone else. Cleaning your tongue completes a good oral health practice to prevent bad breath and oral diseases. To know more about good oral health practices, visit your best dentist in Miami today! Give us a call to make an appointment.