When taking care of your oral health, it’s easy to forget about the tongue! Here are some simple tongue-care tips to implement into your daily routine, starting today.
Brush Your Tongue
Every time you brush your teeth, you should also be brushing your tongue. Brushing your tongue helps get rid of bacteria that cause halitosis and other oral health issues. Use your toothbrush (with toothpaste on it) to gently brush the surface of your tongue, starting at the back and moving in a downward direction.
Get a Tongue Scraper
Try using a tongue scraper in addition to brushing your tongue for a more thorough tongue cleaning. Find tongue scrapers at your local drugstore in the toothbrush aisle. They are small plastic handheld implements shaped just right to scrape bacteria off of your tongue. To use one, simply swipe the scraper end over the surface of your tongue a few times and rinse with warm water after.
Pay Attention to the Colour
The colour of your tongue can tell you a lot about your health, so pay attention to what your tongue looks like and notice if it changes. Generally speaking, a healthy tongue is light pink and may have a bit of white coating. A lot of white coating may indicate dehydration or even a fungal infection, while a very red tongue may be a sign of infection or a blood disorder. If your tongue is very pale, this may be due to a deficiency of vitamins. Check on the colour of your tongue regularly and if something seems off, ask your dentist what it could mean.
Sip Green Tea + Hydrate Frequently
Green tea kills bad-breath bacteria, so regularly brewing yourself a cup will help keep your tongue feeling clean and your mouth smelling fresh. Drinking water often is also essential for keeping your tongue healthy. Drinking water washes away bacteria and food debris from your tongue, helping to keep it clean.
Caring for your tongue is just one aspect of oral health. It is also essential to eat well, brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly. Tsawwassen Family Dental is always accepting new patients!