4 Reasons to Clean Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing shouldn’t be the only steps included in your dental hygiene routine. Recent studies suggest tongue cleaning reduces harmful bacteria in your mouth. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA are passionate about dental hygiene, including the importance of tongue cleaning. Here are four reasons to clean your tongue.

Combat Bad Breath

Do you suffer stinky breath and have tried everything from special toothpaste to mouthwash with no results? A 2014 study by the Journal of Periodontology revealed that cleaning your tongue is one solution to reduce bad breath. The study discovered tongue cleaning removes up to 75 percent of the compounds that cause bad breath versus a toothbrush only removes 45 percent of the tongue’s compounds.

Eliminate White Tongue

A white tongue is a condition that results from poor hygiene, trapping bacteria and debris into the tongue’s tiny bumps, or papillae. Your Pacific Beach, CA dentists advise a gentle scraping of the tongue to solve this usually harmless condition.

Reduce Plaque

Plaque is a thin sticky film of bacteria typically found on your teeth and tongue. Regular flossing and brushing removes this bacteria on your teeth, but what about your tongue? That’s why tongue cleaning is important for removing these harmful bacteria and preventing plaque from spreading across your body through your saliva. 

Improve Taste

It’s no wonder your tongue’s build-up of bacteria and plaque has a profound effect on taste. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, taste sensations improved significantly after two weeks of tongue cleaning using a tongue scraper. 

Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

4 Reasons to Clean Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing shouldn’t be the only steps included in your dental hygiene routine. Recent studies suggest tongue cleaning reduces harmful bacteria in your mouth. Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos of All Coast Dental located in Pacific Beach, CA are passionate about dental hygiene, including the importance of tongue cleaning. Here are four reasons to clean your tongue.

Combat Bad Breath

Do you suffer stinky breath and have tried everything from special toothpaste to mouthwash with no results? A 2014 study by the Journal of Periodontology revealed that cleaning your tongue is one solution to reduce bad breath. The study discovered tongue cleaning removes up to 75 percent of the compounds that cause bad breath versus a toothbrush only removes 45 percent of the tongue’s compounds.

Eliminate White Tongue

A white tongue is a condition that results from poor hygiene, trapping bacteria and debris into the tongue’s tiny bumps, or papillae. Your Pacific Beach, CA dentists advise a gentle scraping of the tongue to solve this usually harmless condition.

Reduce Plaque

Plaque is a thin sticky film of bacteria typically found on your teeth and tongue. Regular flossing and brushing removes this bacteria on your teeth, but what about your tongue? That’s why tongue cleaning is important for removing these harmful bacteria and preventing plaque from spreading across your body through your saliva. 

Improve Taste

It’s no wonder your tongue’s build-up of bacteria and plaque has a profound effect on taste. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, taste sensations improved significantly after two weeks of tongue cleaning using a tongue scraper. 

Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Tongue Cleaners

When people engage in their dental routines, they often focus on the teeth and gums. Yet the tongue is just as important to your oral health. That’s why Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos recommend tongue scrapers/cleaners. These small dental appliances are sold at most grocery stores. They scrape residue and bacteria off your tongue, removing bad breath and coatings. To learn more about them, contact All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA.

 

Start off by removing the tongue scraper from its packaging. Place it at the back of the tongue and move it slowly forward. After each movement, rinse off the scraper and your mouth with water. Do this as many times as necessary. Coated tongues are caused by dry mouth, yeast infections, smoking, medications, and poor dental health. The coating itself consists of layers of dead cells and bacteria. Using the cleaner gets rid of these detrimental substances.

 

There are many documented benefits to using a tongue cleaner. The biggest is an improvement in your breath. It’s also shown to heighten your sense of taste. Overall, it leads to a cleaner and healthier mouth.

 

Use your tongue scraper with caution. Do not go so far back on your tongue that you gag. Don’t apply too much pressure, especially in certain areas. You can cut the surface of your tongue if you aren’t paying attention.

 

To learn about tongue cleaners and your dental health, contact All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Joseph and Julie Boulos, visit our website or call 858-270-4904.