Comprehensive oral hygiene includes more than just thatbrushing your teeth regularly, but also the right care for the tongue. It is an essential part of the mouth and is covered with a mucous membrane. While it largely fills the oral cavity when the mouth is closed, it comes into contact with both the teeth and the gums. Although it provides a breeding ground for various tooth and gum diseases, it is often neglected when it comes to oral hygiene. We will explain to you how you can clean your tongue properly and thereby improve your oral hygiene.
Improve oral hygiene: Why does it make sense to clean the tongue?
Eating and drinking can cause residue to form on the tongue, which over time expands into significant deposits. They are a common cause of unpleasant bad breath, which is not only a burden for those affected. At the same time, bacteria are found in these deposits, which see an ideal breeding ground due to the warm, humid environment. This not only promotes inflammation, but also increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. As a result, the risk of dental treatment or dentures increases. Those affected may also experience an impaired sense of taste because the function of the taste nerves is distorted.
Brushing your teeth hardly helps in this case. Although it ensures clean teeth and thus prevents further risks, it in no way represents adequate oral hygiene. Instead, the two should be combined so that a combination of tongue cleaning and teeth cleaning can provide the best possible results.Electric toothbrushes are being testedan additional help and represent an important aspect of proper oral hygiene.
Improve oral hygiene: How is the tongue cleaned properly?
The tongue is cleaned afterBrushing your teeth. It is important to proceed carefully. If you treat the tongue too harshly, you could, in the worst case scenario, injure the surface of the mucous membrane. It is therefore worth using a tongue scraper or a special tongue brush that is designed for the needs of sensitive skin. The tongue is cleaned from back to front. Ideally, the tongue should be relaxed and extended as far out of the mouth as possible.
The back area of the tongue in particular should be given additional attention. Because there are usually significantly more bacteria in this area than on the rest of the tongue. To avoid gagging during cleaning, you should also proceed with caution. This is another reason why a regular toothbrush is unsuitable. Special tongue brushes are significantly flatter and do not threaten to hit the uvula.
Step by step: This is how the tongue is cleaned
Before the tongue can be properly cleaned, certain utensils are necessary. This includes a tongue brush or tongue scraper, a glass full of water and, if necessary, a little mouthwash or toothpaste. The following procedure is then followed:
1.) The teeth are cleaned with a normal or electric toothbrush. The dental floss is then used.
2.) Depending on your needs, the tongue brush can be dipped in a little mouthwash or coated with a little toothpaste. This provides a feeling of additional purity.
3.) The tongue brush or tongue scraper is pulled over the tongue from back to front and from front to back.
4.) This process is repeated until the coating has come off the tongue.
5.) Then the tongue scraper is placed as far as possible on the back of the tongue and pulled forward.
6.) Cleaning is complete when the coating is removed from the tongue.
7.) Finally, rinse your mouth with the water provided.
Improve oral hygiene: Is professional tongue cleaning worth it?
In addition to regular tongue cleaning at home, professional cleaning at the dentist is a useful addition. The procedure is different than at home. The tongue is coated with a cleaning gel beforehand. The tongue is then cleaned with a soft brush or an ultrasound system. This means that even deep-seated bacterial accumulations can be removed and you can finallyGet rid of bad breath.
