We all know that practicing good dental hygiene is important. Even as a kid, you heard from your parents and dentist that regularly brushing and flossing your teeth will remove decay, bacteria, and plaque. You know that brushing and flossing will also keep your breath fresh and greatly decrease your risk of dental disease and cavities. But did you know that regularly tongue brushing is just as important? It’s true –– making sure your tongue is clean will go a long way toward improving your oral health.

Read on to discover why you need to brush your tongue and learn the best techniques to keep your mouth feeling fresh and clean.

Brushing Your Tongue Helps Your Oral Health

It may surprise you to learn that in addition to freshening your breath, brushing your tongue will also remove any bacteria living on your tongue, which could easily transfer to your tooth enamel after you’ve brushed your teeth.

Remember enjoying a popsicle or lollipop as a kid and checking the color of your tongue in the mirror afterward? It was fun to see if your tongue would turn the color of your treat.

Now as an adult, you know that coffee or even wine can change that color of your tongue. That’s because any food or beverage you consume touches your tongue as well as your teeth. The warm, moist environment your tongue provides is ideal for growing bacteria.

Bacteria also love to hide in the cracks and crevices in your tongue, and rinsing with water or mouthwash isn’t enough to eliminate them. That’s why brushing your tongue is the best way to clean it and prevent tooth decay and bad breath.

Adding this habit to your dental hygiene routine has other perks, too. Brushing your tongue properly has other benefits, including:

• Reducing your chances of tooth decay
• Preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar
• Avoiding a sore throat
• Ridding the mouth of the bacteria that can cause strep throat
• Lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke

Taking just a few moments to properly clean your tongue is an excellent way to improve your oral health as well as your overall health!

How to Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue is pretty simple. Try adding it to your existing dental hygiene habits when you wake up in the morning and before bed in the evening.

When brushing your tongue, make sure that you brush from front to back. You can choose to brush your tongue with or without toothpaste, but adding toothpaste may help to improve your breath. Remember to always rinse your toothbrush after brushing your tongue to rinse away any bacteria left over on the brush.

Like everything else in life, too much of a good thing can be bad. Avoid using too much pressure when you brush your tongue, as doing so can cause soreness and even break the skin.

Here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, we believe that good oral hygiene habits are the foundation of your dental health, and also impact your overall health. In addition to brushing your tongue, you should also be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing every day, and visiting your general dentist for regular dental cleanings and exams.

Our team of specialists is passionate about educating our patients on how dental health directly impacts their overall health. We believe that everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation to learn how we can relieve your pain and restore your smile for years to come!