Brushing the teeth is important–we all know this. But keeping a clean tongue is a whole different story. Yet, the two go hand in hand. And until you give your tongue the proper TLC it deserves, bad breath will likely be lurking just behind that lovely smile. So every time you brush, follow these important tips to keep your mouth feeling great and your breath smelling good.
Target the Tongue
After you’ve given your teeth the ultimate brush down, focus on brushing the tongue to balance out the bacteria that causes bad breath. Begin at the back of the tongue and work your way to the tip of the tongue with gentle brush strokes. Once you’ve covered the entire tongue surface, rinse your mouth with water to sweep away bacteria and hydrate the mouth to stimulate healthy saliva production.
Scraping for a Clean Tongue
If you have time to go the extra mile and give your mouth the ultimate treatment, use a soft tongue scraper to remove any remaining bacteria that lingers within the thin layer of mucous coating your tongue. At the center of the tongue is where you’ll want to dedicate the most of your efforts to remove bacteria. Just remember to rinse the scraper thoroughly after every use.
An important question to consider is “how often should we clean the tongue?” The short answer: every time you brush your teeth! Twice a day, morning and evening, give your tongue a good cleaning. And if you’re an overachiever (or maybe you just ate a big lunch topped with pungent onions) a midday cleaning is never a bad idea. The key is to never neglect the tongue when you brush your teeth. Keeping fresh breath and a great smile also means keeping the tongue clean.
It’s important to note that unpleasant breath can have many triggers–from the use of antibiotics to various illnesses. If you’re experiencing persistent bad breath or other abnormal oral symptoms, consult a dentist to zero in on the root cause.