The human tongue has a cornucopia of rough textures, contours and taste buds that can trap bacterial plaque, causing bad breath issues. Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, floss each evening and use an antiseptic mouthwash, the bacterial load on your tongue might still persist. Adding a simple tongue cleaning to your oral hygiene routine can help prevent bad breath in just a few minutes per day.
This can be done after you have brushed your teeth. The simplest method is to use your toothbrush to brush your tongue with a gentle circular motion. Make sure you brush around the sides of the tongue and the rough surface of the taste buds. This will help clean some bacteria from your tongue and refresh your mouth.
If you’d like, you might also want to use a tongue scraper. This usually comes in the form of a small, plastic handle with a mildly sharp edge on one end. When using a tongue scraper, you should work from front to back, making multiple overlapping sweeps. If you notice a buildup of material on the blade edge, you should rinse it off before making another pass over your tongue.
When you’re done brushing and flossing, you can rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash. This can also help wash away lingering bacteria and freshen your breath.
If you are struggling with bad breath or other oral hygiene issues in Orlando, Florida, you should call 407-351-2245 to schedule an appointment at MedPlex Dental Holistic Dentistry with Dr. R. Castellini.