How often do you consciously clean your tongue with a brush or other tool? We all understand how important it is to brush your teeth each day, however the importance of cleaning your tongue is often overlooked.
Are you supposed to brush your tongue each day? Yes. Here are some of the main reasons why.
1. Get Rid Of Bad Breath
For many reasons, your tongue can be covered with layers of bacteria. This is often increased by habits such as smoking, poor hygiene, infrequent brushing, dry mouth and more. Brushing your tongue can remove this bacteria and the bad breath it can cause too.
2. Prevent Cavities
Bacteria that have made a home on your tongue can easily transfer to your teeth. By brushing it off, you can help stop this and therefore can help reduce the chance of tooth decay and other issues.
3. You Can Taste Your Food Better
Brushing your tongue removes not only bacteria, but also food residue and other material from your tongue. This can free up your taste buds, increase saliva flow and improve your sensation of taste.
4. Boost Your Immune System
Because almost anything that enters your mouth will come into contact with your tongue, keeping it clean can help to boost your immune system. Viruses and bacteria can land, stay, and fester on your tongue. Brushing your tongue will remove it before it becomes something your immune system must deal with.
If you are already unwell, brushing your tongue can also help your recover faster, as bacteria is removed from the area.
5. Reduce Plaque
There are many studies that show brushing your tongue can help to prevent the build up of plaque that is caused by bacteria settling into your mouth.
6. Feel Fresher
We all know that fresh feeling when you brush your teeth. It’s great and many people look forward to it every day. Brushing your tongue can help amplify the fresh feeling you get by brushing your teeth alone.
To brush your tongue, you can buy a tongue scraper, or simply use your toothbrush. A rinse with a good mouth wash is also a great practice to help keep your tongue and mouth as a whole feeling fresh.
You can discuss the benefits of brushing your tongue during your next dental check up in our clinic!