Brushing our teeth is a daily oral hygiene routine, but even if we brush our teeth diligently, why do oral problems still exist? Experts say that we should not overlook the cleaning of our tongue while brushing our teeth.
Do we need to brush our tongue while brushing our teeth?
Yes, we need to brush our tongue while brushing our teeth. There are over 700 different types of bacteria in our mouth, and the uneven surface of the tongue is a place where dirt and bacteria can accumulate, leading to oral diseases. Therefore, cleaning the tongue is an important step in purifying the mouth, and the friction surface on the back of the toothbrush is designed for brushing the tongue.
Why should we brush our tongue?
The tongue is home to many bacteria, including those that cause tooth decay and periodontal diseases. Numerous studies have also shown that some of the bacteria on the tongue coating can decompose proteins and produce sulfur compounds that cause bad breath, which can be embarrassing in social situations. By lightly brushing the tongue while brushing our teeth, we can mechanically remove some of the tongue coating, especially the various bacteria, effectively reducing bad breath and preventing oral diseases.
Benefits of brushing the tongue
Relief from bad breath
The back of the tongue and the underside of the tongue are favored hiding places for bacteria. Food residues that linger on the tongue coating for a long time can easily decay, leading to an unpleasant odor in the mouth. Regularly brushing the tongue can freshen the breath. Studies have shown that brushing the tongue can reduce the amount of sulfur gases that cause bad breath by about 75%.
Prevention of oral diseases
The surface of the tongue coating, especially the thicker coating, often contains many harmful substances such as pathogenic bacteria, histamine, molds, and viruses. It is one of the main causes of oral odor and bad breath, as well as the direct cause of oral or periodontal diseases. Therefore, proper tongue brushing can prevent various oral diseases.
Improved sense of taste
The accumulation of tongue coating on the tongue can affect our sense of taste. Using a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently brush the tongue can easily remove the coating, thereby improving the sensitivity of our taste buds. However, it is important not to brush too hard to avoid damaging the taste buds.
How to correctly brush the tongue
1. Stick out your tongue: The tongue coating is often located at the back of the tongue, which is also the area with the most bacteria and close to the throat. Therefore, the longer the tongue is stretched out, the better.
2. Brush from back to front: Place the tongue scraper at the back of the tongue and brush it towards the tip of the tongue for about 10 times. Do not apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the tongue tissue.
3. Rinse: Rinse with clean water and clean the tongue scraper under running water.
4. It is important to note that when brushing the tongue, there is no need to use toothpaste. Water is sufficient.
How to choose a tongue cleaning tool
The tongue coating is very delicate, so it is recommended to choose a softer bristle brush or use the textured back of a toothbrush to gently clean the tongue coating.
There are also various tongue cleaning tools and tongue scrapers available on the market, which can be purchased according to individual needs.
Precautions for tongue brushing
1. Do not brush the tongue too forcefully. Gently brush the back of the tongue to avoid pain or discomfort. If the tongue is frequently scraped too hard, it can stimulate the taste buds, damage the papillae on the tongue, and even lead to numbness, decreased taste sensitivity, and decreased appetite.
2. The duration of each tongue brushing should not be too long. Brushing the tongue from the back to the tip for 7-10 times is sufficient.
