Why You Should Clean Your Tongue
Regular brushing and flossing are essential for good dental health, but you should not overlook your tongue. If you haven’t been cleaning your tongue, you are missing an important aspect of dental health as any pediatric dentist in Melbourne will advise you about.
Brushing and flossing regularly helps remove debris and bacteria. However, it does not completely clean your mouth and there is still bacteria left behind. During the course of a normal day, bacteria collects in your mouth as does leftover food and beverages you’ve consumed. This creates a layer on your tongue that can be uncomfortable. According to Sunshine Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Melbourne, FL this layer can negatively impact your oral health.
Benefits
A Brevard pediatric dental professional will advise you about the benefits regular tongue cleaning can bring.
- Cleaning your tongue with a scraper or toothbrush removes the bacteria that can cause bad breath and lead to tooth decay.
- Can help prevent other oral health concerns such as gum disease and cavities which excess bacteria in your mouth can lead to.
- There is also a visual component as bacteria build-up on your tongue can cause it to appear discolored and chalky. Removing this improves its appearance.
- Finally, by removing build-up, debris, and bacteria your sense of taste can improve.
Good Oral Habits
When consulting a dentist in Melbourne, in general you will be advised to clean your (and your children’s) tongue twice daily after brushing your teeth to ensure a complete cleaning. You can also help prevent morning breath by cleaning your tongue before bed. Like other good oral habits, it can take time to get into the pattern of doing this regularly. By doing so, you improve your overall oral health.
Contact Sunshine Smiles
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly experts at Sunshine Smiles. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you set up an appointment.