Bacteria Target: The Tongue
You brush and floss every day, but you are missing a huge part of oral hygiene if you neglect your tongue. Your tongue is a giant target for bacteria and a major cause of bad breath! The tongue is covered with taste buds and in between the taste buds are valleys. Those dips, valleys and crevices are the perfect spot for bacteria to hide, grow and multiply.
Is your tongue a different color other than pink?
Whatever you are putting in your mouth will feed the bacteria. When that bacteria settles in the crevices of the tongue, it stays put. If not removed, food, tobacco and beverages will stain the bacteria. The bacteria will continue to grow in the crevices of the tongue and the now “longer” bacteria will catch more stain, resulting in a funny colored tongue, bad breath and reduce the ability to taste.
How do I clean my tongue?
Think a rinse will work? Think again. This bacteria is stuck in crevices on the tongue and continue to grow and thrive unless that bacteria is scrubbed out by bristles.
It is recommended to brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth.
• Brush back and forth
• Brush side to side
• Repeat as necessary until the bacteria coating is gone
• A tongue cleaner is a good tool to use if the bacteria coating is really stubborn.
Bad Breath Still a Problem?
If your tongue is clean and your still notice bad breath, come see us. The problem may be more involved- tooth decay, infection, sinus issues, dry mouth, to name a few.
