Adult
Most people agree that brushing your teeth twice per day and regular flossing leads to better oral health. In a recent study, researchers found that the combination of brushing and flossing lowers the risk of developing gingivitis considerably, in addition to fending off cavities and tooth decay. Indeed, taking a few minutes to brush and floss your teeth can reward you with many oral health benefits. The same is true for cleaning your tongue. Taking a few extra minutes to clean your tongue can lead to fresher breath and a much healthier mouth.
Many Benefits of Using a Tongue Cleaner
For those not familiar with them, tongue cleaners are oral hygiene devices that can remove the white, sticky film that accumulates on the tongue’s surface. This film is caused by variety and sometimes a combination of the following factors:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Oral thrush
- Leukoplakia
- Oral lichen planus
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Irrespective of the cause, a white tongue can leave individuals with a foul taste in their mouth. Further, it can cause redness and irritation in other parts of the oral cavity as well.
Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Use a Tongue Cleaner
Although teeth cleaning via brushing twice per day and flossing are great ways to stay on top of one’s oral health, removing food particles and other contaminants from the tongue should not be overlooked. With that in mind, here are a few reasons why you might want to invest in and use a tongue cleaner:
Improved sense of taste – In a study published by Wiley Online Library, researchers revealed that study participants who routinely cleaned their tongue had a much easier time distinguishing between bitter, sweet, salty, and sour flavor sensations when consuming food.
Removal of bacteria – Arguably, the chief benefit of using a tongue cleaner is the ability to remove the white sticky film from one’s tongue. But doing so also removes bacteria from the mouth at the same time. A study published by NIH found that individuals who cleaned their tongue twice per day for one week had fewer Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli in their mouths versus those who did not. For context, Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli are two types of bacteria known to cause bad breath.
Improved tongue appearance – Several studies show that scraping the white, sticky film and other debris that gathers on the tongue dramatically improves its appearance.
Better overall health – It has long been established that a healthier mouth leads to a healthier body. In addition to keeping the tongue free of food debris and bacteria, cleaning the tongue with a tongue cleaner or something similar can also help prevent cavities, decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems that can affect the physical body.
Much like brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing, and scheduling regular dental checkups with our Plantation dentists and Tamarac dentists, removing harmful food and other contaminants from your tongue every day with a tongue cleaner can lead to significantly better oral and even physical health. Contact us today to book your next appointment.
November 26, 2021