The tongue is an important factor when it comes to maintaining good oral health. Even if you are keen on oral hygiene but miss the tongue, you are still not an oral health star.
The tongue carries a lot of bacteria. Most of the bacteria are good and necessary for proper digestive health. However, some bacteria are bad and can contribute to bad breath, tooth decay, gum infections, and other oral health-related issues. To prevent this, you must maintain a good tongue-cleaning routine. And there are more benefits to cleaning your tongue.
Just keep scrolling to learn about them. But first,
What Happens When I Don’t Clean My Tongue?
Many things can happen when you don’t clean your tongue properly. First, you may experience duller taste buds. When you don’t clean the tongue, it retains biofilm, a dirty coat of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. The film covers your taste buds, giving you a duller tasting sensation. Luckily you can get rid of it by brushing the tongue.
Halitosis or bad breath is another thing you could develop if you do not clean your tongue well. When you don’t clean your tongue, bad bacteria sit on the surface. It then multiplies, increasing the level of foulness on the tongue. Thus you will have bad breath. You could also develop gingivitis. The bacteria build-up on your tongue could easily spread to your teeth and gums. This causes gingivitis, characterized by inflammation, pain, redness, and even bleeding of the gums.
And finally, not brushing your tongue could lead to a black hairy tongue. It is a real condition that occurs when the tongue has a build-up of dead cells on the papillae. It comes with discoloration, bad breath, and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Importance Of Cleaning Your Tongue
1. It improves gustation.
Gustation is the tasting sensation. It’s what makes food taste great and helps you identify what does not taste good. Sometimes, you can develop a build-up of food particles, saliva, dead skin, and bacteria. This build-up hinders the effectiveness of your tastebuds. This is bad because you will have trouble detecting anything in your food that may hinder your health, such as food going bad. Additionally, it makes food less tasteful, ruining great meals.
With regular tongue cleaning, you will improve your taste sense. The enhanced taste buds will help you distinguish flavors easier. It will help you differentiate between tasty and bad.
2. It reduces the chances of oral infection.
Bacteria lingers in your mouth all the time. Most of it is good and enhances digestion. However, some of it is bad and will cause oral infections. When your tongue harbors bacteria, it can easily spread to other parts of the mouth. Easy spots include between the teeth and on the gums. This will lead to oral infections such as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums. It also brings bad breath and bleeding.
You could also develop cavities, which are tiny or large holes in your teeth. Bad breath is another issue. Cleaning your tongue is a great way to reduce the chances of developing these conditions.
3. It enhances general body health.
And while we are on the topic of infection, bacteria can spread to other parts of your body through calculation. The chances are low, but it is a possibility. Either way, it is good for your general health to clean your tongue regularly and properly. Good oral health can also affect the general health of the body. Therefore, ensure that you do everything to keep your tongue clean.
4. It enhances your tongue’s appearance.
When your tongue is dirty, it first looks discolored. It has a whitish, discolored appearance. This is because of the film of build-up on the surface. Cosmetically, this look is unappealing. People often notice when you talk, laugh, and even eat. It could put stress on your social and personal life. Brushing and tongue scraping will effectively remove this layer, giving your tongue a good pinkish color. With an enhanced color, you will be more confident and have a better time.
Additionally, with the right color, you will be able to identify issues with your oral health and general body wellness.
How To Clean Your Tongue
There are two main ways to clean your tongue. Some use a scraper, while others use a toothbrush.
Tongue scrapers come in a variety of sizes and types. However, their purpose is to remove the topmost layer of the tongue effectively. This layer is often a build-up of saliva, food particles, and bacteria. The scrapper is a small rounded metal or plastic tool that cleans the tongue well. To use a scraper, start at the back of the tongue, then pull the scraper forward. Do it slowly, applying just enough pressure to remove the layer. This motion should not make you feel any pain. If you do, then adjust your pressure application because you are using too much.
After each scrape, swish the scraper in warm water. After several passes, rinse your mouth with warm water and rinse the scraper well.
People often use scrapers after brushing their teeth. Toothbrushes are another way to clean your tongue. The toothbrush is the perfect tool to scrub your tongue of bacteria and build up adequately. Some toothbrushes have bumps on the back of the head. This design is intended to clean your tongue well. You can use it in the same way you use a scraper. If you do not have this, then you can use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean your tongue. The soft bristles will effectively scrub the papillae. This gets rid of bacteria and food particles. You can use water, a little toothpaste, or mouthwash to clean your tongue. Just be sure to rinse well.
In Conclusion,
The tongue is an important part of the mouth. To maintain a good and sharp-tasting sensation, you need to keep your tongue clean. Additionally, it will help to reduce the chances of infection. Most of all, a clean tongue guarantees fresh breath and cosmetic appearance to boost your confidence.
