In order to keep our mouths clean and our breath fresh, we brush and floss our teeth twice a day and rinse with mouthwash. Despite these efforts, there is one thing that many of us seem to overlook. Now I know you’re thinking, what more is there to do other than brushing and flossing? The answer to that is: brushing your tongue! Your tongue should be brushed with the same dedication and consistency as your teeth. What’s that? You have more questions? Why is it important to brush your tongue? It’s important because our tongues can accumulate bacteria between the taste buds and other structures which contribute to bad breath. There is no risk of developing a cavity on your tongue, but it can still be a target for bacteria. When you neglect to brush your tongue, a biofilm can form making it difficult to remove the bacteria living within it. Biofilm is created when microorganisms stick to each other on a surface and then become embedded within a slimy film. The best way to rid your tongue of this biofilm is to use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to lightly brush and remove the film. Rinsing alone will not work because it only removes the bacteria that is on the surface of the biofilm. You will notice that the film remains even after vigorous swishing. When looking in the mirror if you see any other color besides a fleshy pink you may have some buildup that needs to be cleaned off. It’s as simple as using your tooth brush in a back and forth, side to side motion on your tongue then rinsing your mouth with water. The hardest part for most people might be that troublesome gag reflex. Here are some tips to help desensitize yourself…
- Moisten a soft tooth brush
- Brush the front of your tongue, slowly working your way to the back
- When you start to feel the gag reflex, stay and brush that area and do not move back any further
- Brush the area where you stopped for 10 seconds, then rinse with clean water
- Repeat this process as often as you brush your teeth and you will see that you are able to go back further and further as time passes
