Do I Need Tongue Cleaner?

Brushing your tongue with a tongue brush should be just as much a part of your daily oral care routine as brushing your teeth and flossing. It not only helps to remove odor-causing deposits that build up during the day, but it may provide a more thorough cleaning than most toothbrushes would on the tongue. Toothbrushes remove tongue deposits, but they are not made specifically for cleaning the surface of the tongue like a tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers are designed for cleaning the tongue surface itself while toothbrushes are designed more for the surface of teeth.

Tongue vs. Enamel

Quite a few differences exist between the tongue’s surface and tooth enamel, making it harder for toothbrushes to clean the tongue as thoroughly as it needs to be. Tongues can be soft against your teeth, but their surfaces are covered in tiny crevices that bacteria hide in, making them rough. Toothbrushes are designed for the hard surface of tooth enamel while tongues have much smaller grooves that cannot be reached via a toothbrush alone.

Tongue Cleaning

The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests bad breath comes from poor oral hygiene. Cleaning the tongue helps remove the layer of bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that occur throughout the day. Dry mouth, gum disease, diet, and tobacco can also cause bad breath. If you do not brush your tongue, oral bacteria can accumulate on the surface, resulting in breathing out an unpleasant odor with your breath.

Benefits of Tongue Cleaners

Tongue cleaners, specifically tongue scrapers and brushes, are made to clean out unhealthy deposits and penetrate very small tongue fissures. Should you clean your tongue before or after brushing your teeth? Either order is beneficial to oral health. Brushes that have tongue brushes built into the reverse side are easy to use and a good reminder to help maintain optimal hygiene. According to the Cochrane Database Systemic Review , two studies on tongue hygiene found that patients who used a tongue cleaner experienced fresher breath.

When using a tongue scraper or brusher, rinse with clean water before and after using it. Using your regular toothpaste, dab it on the tongue brush and use circular motions to get a good cleaning. Avoid pressing too hard as it could result in sores or bleeding.

A healthy, clean, pink tongue is a good incentive to incorporate tongue cleaning into your everyday routine. It is also a great way to ensure your breath is fresh and that you’re putting your best smile forward.

If you or a loved one is in need of a visit to the dentist, you can sign up for our New Hampshire Family Discount Dental Plan and save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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