Words of Wisdom No.3 – Clean Your Tongue

Clean Your Tongue

You know that brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis is imperative to prevent cavities and bad breath, but it is also important to clean your tongue. Food and beverage debris collect on the surface of your tongue, leading to bacterial growth. This buildup of debris and bacteria develops a foul odor, causing halitosis. Not only will you have bad breath from this smelly debris, but also, you can develop a foul taste in your mouth. It is easy to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste to remove this debris, but a better method is using a specialized tongue scraper.

Cleaning Your Tongue Offers Several Benefits

The removal of toxins from your tongue has other benefits, including helping to prevent periodontal disease and keeping dangerous bacteria out of your digestive system. The best times to clean your tongue are in the morning to remove the smelly film that develops throughout the night and again in the evening to remove the buildup of debris from meals or snacks. After scraping your tongue, make sure to brush and floss your teeth before rinsing your mouth with water. For additional fresh breath, you can also use flavored store-bought mouthwash.

Mike McDermott

Dr. Michael McDermott earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Chemistry and Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He followed his undergraduate degrees with a doctorate in dental surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with highest distinction.

Dr. Mike then furthered his dental education by earning a masters and certificate in Orthodontics at the University of St. Louis in Missouri.