Brushing Your Tongue

Let’s face it. Germs cause gum disease, gingivitis, and tooth decay. Germs like to live in groups. The way to make these bacteria much less destructive when in their groups, otherwise known as colonies are to break them up with a toothbrush. With the colonization of bacteria comes another problem, the production of foul odors. 

On the surface of your tongue there are many little tissue projections that are called papillae. The papillae serve a variety of functions like providing protection for those bacterial colonies. They also help to detect taste. Because foul odors are caused from bacteria, an unclean tongue can be a huge source of halitosis commonly known as bad breath. 

Brushing your tongue is a very effective way to manage bad breath. Brushing your tongue also helps to reduce the overall amount of germs in your mouth which will to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Some dentists also recommend scraping your tongue on a regular basis with special tools as another method for treating halitosis. One of the most effective times for brushing and/or scraping the tongue when you brush your teeth in the morning. 

Here are some general teeth brushing suggestions from Dr. Jerome Faist, dentist in Beachwood, OH:

Tilt your brush at a 45 degree angle and place it against the gumline. Gently sweep or roll the brush away from your gumline.

Gently brush all sides of your teeth (outside, inside chewing surface) and use short back-and-forth strokes.

Gently brush all areas of your tongue to get rid of bacteria and freshen your breath.

You can visit this site for more information on brushing your tongue. http://www.animated-teeth.com/bad_breath/t4z_tongue_cleaning.htm