Cleaning your tongue is an important step in maintaining your oral health.


If you are committed to maintaining your oral health in the long-term, it is likely that you have established a healthy oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing your teeth. But did you know that it is equally important that you clean your tongue on a daily basis? Brushing your tongue (ideally every time that you brush your teeth) can help to keep bad breath at bay, plus it helps to get rid of bacteria that may have accumulated in this area of your mouth. Read on to find out more about keeping your tongue clean, and why it’s so good for your smile…

Clean your tongue to remove bacteria

The reality is that your tongue is coated in bacteria, and even though you can’t develop cavities in this area of the mouth, the tongue is actually just as prone to the build-up of bacteria as your teeth are. Often, bacteria collect in the spaces between your taste buds and other structures of the tongue because your tongue is not smooth.

In fact, the tongue has cervices and uneven surfaces all over it, which give bacteria plenty of opportunities to accumulate. For this reason, it is important that you clean your tongue regularly. It is important to understand that rinsing your mouth with water or a mouthwash is simply not enough to get rid of bacteria on the tongue because they can form a sticky film. It is best to brush your tongue with your toothbrush or to use a tongue scraper to physically remove bacteria.

Use the right cleaning technique

Ideally, you should brush your tongue with your toothbrush every time that you brush your teeth. To do so, simply brush back and forth and side to side and then rinse your mouth with some water. Be sure to brush gently so that you don’t hurt yourself or damage the soft tissue of your tongue.

If you prefer, you may choose to use a tongue scraper rather than your toothbrush to clean your tongue. These are specially designed devices that are easy to use and can be found in most pharmacies.

Address underlying issues

If you clean your tongue every day and have noticed that you still have bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, it is advisable that you see your dentist as these could be signs that you have an underlying health issue.

Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral or sinus infections. Your dentist will be able to identify the cause of the issue and advise you on a treatment that suits your needs.

How can we help?

At Lara Smile Group, we love to help our patients maintain good oral and overall health. Our team is available to answer any questions that you have regarding your oral hygiene routine, as well as your lifestyle and its impact on your smile. When you come in and see us, we will provide you with all the information that you need to improve and maintain the condition of your teeth and gums.

At Lara Smile Group, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services to patients of all ages. These include general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as orthodontic treatments and airway management for snoring and sleep apnoea. To find out more about our range of services, please have a look here. To arrange an appointment, please get in touch here or give us a call on 03 5282 1681. We look forward to welcoming you to our brand-new practice on Station Lake Road in Lara. We use new technologies and equipment to offer state-of-the-art dentistry in our new space, while our focus remains on providing individualised patients care.