We constantly hear and read about the importance of oral hygiene, what toothbrushes and toothpaste are best, how to clean interdental spaces, and the purpose of mouthwashes… But often, not enough attention is paid to tongue hygiene. Is the tongue clean enough after using mouthwash? Should it receive special care? These are questions many people don’t know the answer to.
Why is tongue hygiene important?
The tongue is the strongest muscle relative to its size, and it helps us speak and eat throughout our lives. It also functions as a sensory organ for taste. Due to the presence of papillae and grooves on the tongue, its surface is uneven, making it an ideal place for food debris, epithelial cells, bacteria, and fungi to accumulate. That’s why keeping it clean is necessary.
The tongue is supplied with many nerve fibers and blood vessels, making it very sensitive—which you’ve surely experienced if you’ve ever accidentally bitten your tongue. In dental practice, we often warn patients who have received anesthesia in the lower jaw not to eat until the numbness wears off. Injuries from accidental bites are often serious and painful.
Another important role of the tongue is that it serves as a natural toothbrush. Saliva plays a vital role in preventing tooth decay, and the tongue helps distribute it by moving across all areas of the mouth and teeth. It also removes leftover food particles stuck in the mouth after eating.
If you don’t pay enough attention to cleaning your tongue, various negative effects can occur. The three most common are:
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bad breath
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bacterial buildup on the tongue contributes to plaque formation and tooth decay
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a coated tongue that cannot properly detect taste
How to clean your tongue?
Be consistent
Just as you brush your teeth daily, make it a habit to clean your tongue once a day. You can use a soft toothbrush or a special tongue scraper, which is especially helpful for people with a strong gag reflex. Some toothbrushes even have a built-in tongue cleaner on the back.
Be thorough
After brushing your teeth, while there’s still toothpaste in your mouth, use horizontal motions to clean the entire surface of your tongue and then rinse thoroughly with water. Once a day is enough.
Use additional products
A few times a week, use a mouthwash. It helps reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth, including on the tongue. Studies have shown that regularly drinking green tea also helps reduce bacteria levels in the mouth.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids, at least 2 liters per day. Dehydration reduces saliva production and can cause tongue discoloration. These conditions promote bacterial growth.
By adding this simple step to your oral hygiene routine, you will significantly improve both your overall health and your sense of freshness. If you notice any changes on your tongue that last a while—whether painful or not—be sure to visit your dentist. Tongue changes can sometimes be serious, and it’s important not to delay your check-up.
