Why You Should Be Brushing Your Tongue

We’ve learned from the time we were little why brushing our teeth is so important. Not only will it keep your breath fresh and help you avoid cavities, but it also removes bacteria, decay, and plaque from your enamel. However, you may not know all of the advantages to brushing your tongue in addition to your teeth. The same bacteria that lives on your teeth lives on the surface of your tongue as well, and every time you lick your teeth, these bacteria are transferred to your enamel.

Brushing and flossing daily will remove food debris and bacteria from the teeth. But these substances have also come in contact with your tongue as well. It’s important to be properly maintaining your tongue health as well as your teeth and gum health, for all of the very same reasons.

How To Brush Your Tongue

Make sure you’re brushing your tongue from the back to the front. You can choose whether or not to use toothpaste when brushing your tongue, but we recommend it, as it can go a long way towards freshening your breath. Once you’ve brushed your tongue, be sure to rinse thoroughly with water or mouthwash in order to rinse away the bacteria you’ve just brushed from the tongue.

The main benefits to tongue brushing include:

• Lowering the risk of tooth decay
• Preventing the buildup of plaque on the teeth
• Helping prevent or ease a sore throat
• Removing the bacteria that causes strep throat

Here at Coastal Periodontics, your dental health is important to us! For more information, or to make an appointment, please contact our Portsmouth, New Hampshire periodontics office today!