Why Tongue Cleaning is Essential for Your Dental Health Especially When You Wear Braces

When we think about dental health, our minds often gravitate towards brushing and flossing. But there’s another critical player in maintaining a healthy mouth that gets overlooked – your tongue.

 

Ignoring your tongue’s hygiene can have a profound impact on your overall oral health, particularly for those under orthodontic treatment like wearing braces. In the vicinity of Berkeley and El Cerrito, your local orthodontist highly emphasizes on the need of tongue cleaning for those seeking orthodontic services. Let’s dive into why tongue cleaning is a must for your oral health.

Why a Clean Tongue Matters

Your tongue is more than just a vehicle for tasting and savoring your favorite foods; it’s also a haven for bacteria, leftover food particles, and dead cells. Over time, these impurities can build up on your tongue’s surface, eventually leading to a variety of oral health issues. That’s one of the many reasons for keeping your tongue clean:

 

  • Better Breath: One immediate benefit of tongue cleaning is undoubtedly fresher breath. The accumulation of bacteria and food debris on your tongue often results in halitosis or bad breath. A well-maintained tongue can significantly reduce bad breath, contributing to your oral health and boosting your confidence in social situations.
  • Decreased Bacterial Load: Your tongue is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This can prompt a myriad of oral health complications like tooth decay, and gum diseases. Regular tongue cleaning reduces bacteria in your mouth and helps you maintain excellent oral health.
  • Improved Taste: Last but not least, a clean tongue can significantly enhance your taste buds. Scraping off the build-up on your tongue allows your taste buds to function at their optimum, enriching every meal experience.

How to Keep Your Tongue Clean

Keeping your tongue clean is an uncomplicated task that should be included in your daily dental hygiene routine, especially if you’re wearing braces. How do you do it? Here’s how:

  • Opt for a Tongue Cleaner: A tongue cleaner, usually available at most drugstores or online, is a tool specifically designed for this purpose. Use it to gently scrape your tongue from the back to front, ensuring all buildups are removed.
  • Brush Your Tongue: Alternatively, use your toothbrush to clean your tongue after you’ve brushed your teeth.
  • Use Mouthwash: Lastly, rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash to get rid of any residual bacteria and retain a fresh breath.

Reaping the Rewards of Tongue Cleaning for Optimal Oral Health

Your oral health care goes beyond the basics in Berkeley and El Cerrito. Overlooked but vastly beneficial, tongue cleaning yields multiple advantages like fresher breath and a reduced bacterial load.

This practice becomes crucial if you’re wearing braces and aiming for a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing orthodontic experience. Incorporating tongue cleaning into your daily routine can bring a profound positive effect on your oral health. For personalized advice and top-rated orthodontic services, reach out to I Song Orthodontics, the trusted orthodontist in Berkeley and El Cerrito.