Don't Ignore Tongue Health!

As the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures knows that oral health is about more than just your teeth. Your tongue also needs attention to make sure your mouth stays healthy and happy. Today's blog is all about why cleaning your tongue is an important dental hygiene habit, and how you can make it part of your regular routine. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Clean Your Tongue

Keeping your tongue clean has a lot of important health benefits that include stronger teeth, better breath, less plaque buildup, and more! It's a good idea to make cleaning your tongue a part of your daily routine. Every time you use your toothbrush (which should be at least twice a day), gently brush your tongue with a small amount of toothpaste also. This will help break up stuck-on bacteria, food debris, and anything else that shouldn't be there.

It is also a good idea to take the extra step of using a tongue scraper at the end of your routine. A scraper can help thoroughly remove harmful materials, rather than just loosening them in your mouth. Tongue scrapers are relatively easy to find in most oral hygiene aisles at the drug store. Some are even built-in on the back of toothbrushes!

Healthy Tongues are Pink!

When you're brushing your teeth twice a day, it's a good idea to pay attention to the color of your tongue to look for signs of an unhealthy mouth. Your tongue should be a natural, consistent pink color. If there are patches of red, yellow, or white discoloration, then you could have a serious issue that requires medical attention.

If your tongue is a uniform color but has a white film over the top of it, then you may simply need to improve your daily oral hygiene routine. This film is typically a combination of dead cells, food debris, bacteria, and mucus. Cleaning your tongue regularly should help reduce the appearance of this white film and keep your mouth cleaner and healthier.

Growing Bacteria?

We all have a certain amount of bacteria in our mouths, some of it good and some of it bad. Good bacteria are there to help protect you from pathogens and illnesses. Bad bacteria are what can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay.

Both kinds of bacteria can grow and build up on your tongue, producing bad smells that are inconvenient and embarrassing. They produce substances that cause bad breath, including sulfur. Gross! This bad smell can be even worse if there are food particles stuck between teeth for the bacteria to feed on. Keep your tongue clean to help limit stinky breath and bad bacterial growth in your mouth.

Your Local Missouri Dentist

Your tongue is an important part of your oral health. It's important to pay attention to how it's doing in addition to how your teeth and gums are doing. If you have chronically bad breath or if you notice strange coloring on your tongue, then it could be time to visit your local dentist office. Access Dental and Dentures is here for you! If you are concerned about your dental health, or if you just need your check-up, we can help keep you and your mouth healthy. Give us a call! 1-877-DENTIST

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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