Why and How Should You Be Cleaning Your Tongue?

You know that you should be cleaning your teeth twice a day to reduce your probability of developing cavities and other oral health problems, but you shouldn’t neglect other areas in your mouth. Your tongue, another major feature of your mouth, also collects food debris and bacteria that should be regularly cleaned. Read on to learn more from your dentist about why your tongue should be regularly cleaned and the best way to do it.

Why Should You Clean Your Tongue?

Without your tongue, you wouldn’t be able to taste, create certain sounds when speaking, or move food around in your mouth so it can be properly chewed and swallowed. The surface of your tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae. Within the grooves of the bumps collect bacteria, dead skin cells, and food debris from eating. This is all then covered by a thin layer of mucus that coats the fleshy parts of the mouth. When these buildups get trapped under the mucus, you may develop bad breath and a white discoloration of the tongue. The bacteria on the tongue can also redeposit onto teeth and gums, therefore increasing the likelihood of plaque and tartar buildup.

How Should You Clean Your Tongue?

You should be cleaning your tongue as part of your regular oral hygiene routine. Whenever you are brushing and flossing, don’t forget about cleaning your tongue. You have two main ways that you can do this:

• Brushing: Spit out excess toothpaste after cleaning your teeth. Next, gently scrub your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth with your toothbrush before rinsing away the toothpaste left behind.
• Scraping: If you would prefer not to brush your tongue with your toothbrush, you have a different option. You can find tongue scrapers fairly inexpensive at your local drugstore. They are designed to glide along the surface of your tongue to take off the top layer of mucus as well as reduce trapped bacteria and debris. Stick your tongue out and place the scraper at the back of the tongue. Slide it down along the surface towards the tip with even pressure.

If you notice pain when you’re cleaning your tongue, you might be doing it too vigorously. Allow the skin on your tongue to heal and try again with a softer, more gentle approach. For those who have a sensitive gag reflex, there is a trick. Stick out your tongue, and when you are trying to touch a sensitive part, relax the tongue completely while exhaling fully. This will generally override the gag reflex, allowing you to clean your tongue without additional issues.

Next time you brush and floss your teeth, don’t forget about this often-neglected part of your mouth. You would have a hard time functioning without it.

About the Author

Dr. Robert A. Sue is a well experienced dentist in Glendale, CA with over forty years of experience in the field. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California. He has completed advanced training through prestigious programs like the Pankey Institute, the Kois Center, and SPEAR. Dr. Sue is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call 818-243-3838.