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Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day to keep the mouth clean and free of harmful plaque. While most people revolve their oral routines around this important step, many forget about the tongue. Brushing and scraping this part of your mouth every day will provide the following benefits. 

Why You Should Brush Your Tongue Daily

1. Remove Harmful Bacteria

The mouth has plenty of areas where bacteria can accumulate, including the tongue. It has a rough surface that makes it easy for particles to remain in the mouth, even after you brush your teeth. 

When you brush the teeth, bacteria loosens and transfers to the tongue through saliva. Fortunately, brushing or scraping the surface will significantly reduce this issue. Without routine cleaning, the tongue’s bacteria can lead to gum disease and other medical problems.

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2. Improve Your Appearance 

When bacteria build up on the tongue, the surface will develop a whitish coating. Although the tongue isn't always visible to other people, the discoloration can be noticeable when talking, eating, or posing for silly pictures. Keep the tongue pink and bright with regular cleanings that remove bacteria and food stains. 

3. Eliminate Bad Breath

When you eat and drink, leftover particles diminish the freshness of your breath. Although brushing your teeth will help remove most of the lingering particles, scraping the tongue will ensure you smell your best. 

Consider gargling some mouthwash to eliminate additional bacteria from the tongue and avoid unpleasant odors. 

4. Improve Sense of Taste

Including tongue cleaning into your oral care routine can enhance how food tastes. Because eating can leave particles on the tongue, the debris can clog the taste buds. 

By scraping the tongue twice a day, you can remove the clogs and restore the sense of taste. As a result, you may experience heightened salty, sweet, bitter, and sour flavors in meals.

 

Give the teeth, gums, and tongue the care they deserve by reaching out to the team at St. Clair Dental Center in Anchorage, AK. Dr. Richard Wells Mittelstadt has years of experience providing exceptional oral care to residents in the area. This dentist and his team specialize in cosmetic and general dentistry, offering everything from routine oral exams to extractions. Call (907) 272-9214 or visit him online to schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist.

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