Importance of Tongue Cleaning for Your Oral Health

Ample emphasis is placed on regular brushing and flossing when it comes to maintaining oral hygiene. However, one significant aspect of good oral health that is often overlooked is the habit of tongue cleaning. Your tongue forms a significant chunk of your mouth and is the first to come in contact with the foods and drinks you intake, putting it at a much higher risk for bacterial growth. As a result, your mouth is never truly clean unless you remember to brush your tongue as well. Here are a few reasons why highlighting the importance of tongue cleaning is necessary for long-term dental maintenance.

Removes Bacteria

The pesky cause behind bad breath and dental decay are two potent bacteria, namely Streptococci and Lactobacilli. Research performed in 2005 showed that just seven days of consistently using a tongue scraper could reduce the incidence of these two bacteria by 90% and significantly reduce the chances of periodontal diseases.

Improve Tongue’s Appearance

To the human eye, the tongue may look like a flat piece of flesh. In reality, the tongue has all sorts of crevices, elevations, and bumps that encourage plaque buildup and help hide bacteria. This can result in the formation of white or pale-yellow biofilm that looks bad and produces foul-smelling breath. By brushing your teeth, you ensure that no plaque, food particles, and debris accumulate within the papillae of your tongue.

Improve Sense Of taste

The bacterial and plaque biofilm also serves as a barrier between the taste buds and your food, keeping you from fully tasting the flavors of your meals. As a result, it becomes more and more challenging to distinguish between sweet, bitter, and sour tastes with time. The bacterial deposits also interfere with the proper release of saliva, which contains the amylase enzyme necessary for the breakdown of food. Therefore, regular brushing of teeth is vital for removing this toxic buildup, encouraging proper digestion, and enabling you to taste food more effectively.

If you are looking for reputable and reliable dental care in Castle Rock, contact us at Meadows Family Dentistry. Our professionals have years of experience training and guiding individuals toward a healthier oral lifestyle. You can trust them to help you establish an everyday dental care routine that’ll keep your teeth healthy and your breath smelling fresh.