If you look closely at your tongue in the mirror, you’ll notice a cornucopia of taste buds. These textured areas can trap bacteria and plaque, promoting chronic bad breath. One easy way to mitigate these issues is to add a thorough tongue cleaning to your daily oral hygiene routine.
This can be done after you have brushed and flossed your teeth. Make sure you brush around the sides and top of the tongue. This will help wash away bacteria and freshen your mouth.
Some people prefer to use a tongue scraper. This usually comes in the form of a small, plastic handle with a mildly sharp edge on one end. When using a tongue scraper, you should work from front to back making multiple overlapping sweeps. If you notice a buildup of material on the blade edge, you should rinse it off before making another pass over your tongue.
Once your tongue has been cleaned, you can rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash, which can also wash away lingering bacteria and freshen your breath. Just keep in mind that antiseptic mouthwash can’t clean between teeth and replace flossing. Any material left in these areas will once again promote plaque formation and bad breath.
If you have questions about how to clean your tongue in Pasadena, California, you can always call Sean T. Ky at 626-792-0448 to ask your dentist, Dr. Sean Ky, a question.
