Why you should brush your tongue for oral hygiene

Everyone knows the critical role brushing teeth plays in oral health. And while people tend to be far less fastidious about it, most also know about the importance of flossing daily. But it's likely that you have heard about the importance of brushing your tongue far less — or maybe never at all.

Even dentists may fail to mention this simple but significant oral care practice. However, there are countless reasons why you should brush your tongue on a daily basis — just as often as you brush and floss. 

There are many factors that determine the status of your dental health. These include:

• brushing and flossing habits
• your genetics and family line
• untreated cavities, infections, or abscesses 
• how often you visit the dentist

Most of these are well-known, especially because dental professionals are often vocal about them. But oral wellness involves more than just clean teeth and gums. Bacteria can easily hide in any of the tiny crevices of the tongue. And with food particles and sticky beverages like coffee passing over your tongue every day, you're bound to end up with some bacterial build-up.

Do you really need to brush your tongue?

So why should you brush your tongue? In truth, it does make a definitive difference in your oral hygiene. 

Brushing your tongue strengthens your dental health in a few key ways:

• It prevents halitosis (bad breath) — It's one of the more embarrassing elements of dental hygiene, but it creates a strong motivation to brush your tongue (especially if you're on your way to work or out on a date!) According to academic research, when tiny food particles and bacteria build-up, it can quickly lead to bad breath. This can create a foul taste in the mouth and leave you feeling self-conscious in social settings. 
• It removes natural stains from the tongue — If you've ever feasted on colorful candy, you know that the tongue can easily become stained. For adults, things like coffee and red wine are the typical culprits. But you may notice your tongue can collect more subtle residue from other liquids too. 
• It prevents more serious problems like tooth decay and gum disease — While things like cavities and periodontitis are generally caused by plaque build-up directly on and around teeth (often the roots of the teeth), the tongue still plays a role in oral health. The mouth is a complex ecosystem filled with many different types of bacteria. Thus a clean tongue contributes to clean teeth and gums.
• It strengthens your taste buds — It goes without saying that a clean tongue can make foods taste better. Your taste buds are strategically located on different sections of the tongue. Bitter flavors can generally be tasted with the back portion of the tongue, while sweet and salty flavors are perceptible with the front. This is an often-forgotten reason why you should brush your tongue.

What happens if you don't brush your tongue?

Much of the bacteria that hang around in your mouth are harmless, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't reset things by brushing with toothpaste in the morning and evening. If you don't brush your tongue regularly, a number of unpleasant things can start to happen. Not brushing your tongue can increase bacterial build-up, which puts you at a greater risk for gum problems and eventually periodontal disease.

Another problem is a condition called oral thrush, or an oral yeast infection. Thrush is common in small children but can occur at any age. It happens when the bacteria levels in the mouth are thrown out of balance. In this instance, candida yeast seizes the opportunity to take over. Thrush presents as a white coating over the tongue, inner cheeks, or tonsils and can cause the inside of the mouth to feel irritated. Avoiding the icky symptoms of oral thrush is another reason why you should brush your tongue.

Using a toothbrush to brush your tongue

Simply use toothpaste and a toothbrush to gently scrub your tongue, starting at the back and making your way forward. This should not hurt or create any abrasions on the tongue. It should feel firm without any pain. After rinsing, your mouth should feel fresh and free of any leftover tastes. After an especially seasoned meal, it may help to do two thorough scrubs and rinses. 

Academic research shows that tongue cleaning followed by a thorough rinse reduces bad breath. This is done by reducing volatile sulfur compounds or VSCs (another good reason why you should brush your tongue). It's important to make sure you brush toward the back of the tongue, as this is where most of the bacteria may be hiding. If you can't reach the back of the tongue or feel too uncomfortable, another way to clean it is by gargling with either saltwater or mouthwash. 

According to the American Dental Association, tongue scrapers are only a surface-level solution that doesn't provide a deep clean for your mouth. However, they are still commonly used and may help freshen your breath. Using mouthwash is another way to rid the mouth of unpleasant tastes and bacterial build-up. Just be sure you're not using mouthwash as a substitute for brushing with toothpaste. 

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to strengthen your oral health and prevent serious long-term issues like periodontal disease. One of the most critical practices besides brushing and flossing your teeth is brushing your tongue, which contains papillae (bumps) that harbor bacteria.

By being proactive with your dental health, you'll be able to avoid uncomfortable procedures and painful problems down the road. Proper oral care goes deeper than just a quick daily brush. With a more thoughtful routine and regular check-ups, you can keep your teeth sparkly white and damage-free throughout your life.

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