Signature Smile

Clean Your Tongue

What’s the Most Effective Way to Clean Your Tongue

Tongue cleaning has been practiced in the Eastern world for hundreds of years. Studies suggest that cleaning your tongue regularly can reduce unwanted mouth bacteria that can lead to bad breath, a coated tongue, plaque buildup, and other oral health conditions.

Some researchTrusted Source says tongue scrapers are the most effective tool to use. However, you can also use toothbrushes and mouthwashes to clean your tongue.

Keep reading to learn more about these tongue cleaning methods, their benefits, and how to use them.

Best oral health practices

In addition to tongue cleaning, good oral health includes:

  • brushing your teeth twice a day using a toothpaste with fluoride
  • flossing your teeth daily
  • eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet
  • visiting your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and an oral examination

Tongue scrapers are the most effective

Both tongue scrapers and toothbrushes can eliminate bacteria on the tongue, but most studies have found that using a tongue scraper is more effective than using a toothbrush.

A 2006 review examinedTrusted Source two studies on tongue cleaning and bad breath and found that tongue scrapers and cleaners were more effective than toothbrushes in reducing the volatile sulfur compounds that cause breath odors.

Here’s how to clean your tongue using a tongue scraper:

  1. Select a tongue scraping instrument. This may be plastic or metal. It may be bent in half making a V shape or have a handle with a rounded edge at the top. Shop online for tongue scrapers.
  2. Stick out your tongue as far as you can.
  3. Place your tongue scraper toward the back of your tongue.
  4. Press the scraper on your tongue and move it toward the front of your tongue while applying pressure.
  5. Run the tongue scraper under warm water to clear any debris and bacteria from the device. Spit out any excess saliva that may have built up during the tongue scraping.
  6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 several more times. As needed, adjust your tongue scraper placement and the pressure you apply to it to prevent a gag reflex.
  7. Clean the tongue scraper and store it for the next use. You can scrape your tongue once or twice a day. If you gag during the process, you may want to scrape your tongue before eating breakfast to avoid vomiting.

How to clean your tongue with a toothbrush

Although using a toothbrush may be less effective than using a tongue scraper, you may find it easier to use — especially if you’re already brushing your teeth twice a day.

Here’s how to clean your tongue with a toothbrush:

  • Choose a soft-bristle toothbrush; shop for brushes online.
  • Stick out your tongue as far as it will reach.
  • Position your toothbrush at the back of the tongue.
  • Brush lightly forward and backward along your tongue.
  • Spit out saliva that appears during the brushing and rinses out the toothbrush with warm water.
  • Clean your tongue as often as you brush your teeth.

You may want to brush with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 5 parts water once a day if your tongue is discolored. You should rinse your mouth out with water following this type of cleaning.

Can oral mouth rinses clean your tongue?

Mouth rinses — especially when combined with toothbrushing — can help clean your tongue and other parts of your mouth.

Consider using a therapeutic mouthwash containing active ingredients to destroy bacteria in your mouth that may cause bad breath and other conditions. You can find mouthwashes over the counter or online.

You can also ask your doctor or dentist to prescribe one for you. Follow the mouthwash’s instructions for the best oral care.

 

Benefits of cleaning your tongue

Several studies point to the benefits of cleaning your tongue:

Reduces sulfur compounds that cause bad breath

A 2004 study in the Journal of Periodontology concluded that using a tongue scraper helped reduce volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. A tongue scraper removed 75 percent of these compounds and a toothbrush removed 45 percent of them.

Reduces bacteria on the tongue

A 2014 study in BMC Oral Health found that tongue cleaning reduced bacteria on the tongue but that levels only stayed low if the tongue cleaning occurred regularly. The article concluded that you should both brush your teeth and clean your tongue regularly for good oral health.

Contributes to a fresher-feeling mouth

The American Dental Association does not equate tongue cleaning with the reduction of bad breath, but it does conclude that cleaning your tongue can contribute to a fresher-feeling mouth that you might enjoy.

Reduces plaque

A 2013 study trusted Source of plaque in children in the International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry found that regular tongue cleaning by either a toothbrush or scraper reduced plaque levels.

May alter taste perceptions

Tongue cleaning may alter your taste perceptions, particularly of sucrose and citric acid, according to one study.

When to see a dentist

If you notice any unusual changes to your tongue, you should visit a doctor or dentist. For example, visit a doctor if your tongue:

  • looks white or develops white patches; some conditions causing this include oral thrushleukoplakiaoral lichen planus, and oral cancer
  • looks red or develops red or pink patches; this may be a geographic tongue or another condition
  • appears smooth or glossy
  • looks yellowblack, or hairy
  • is hurt from trauma
  • is sore or develops sores or lumps that don’t resolve after a few weeks
  • severe burns

Why You Should Be Brushing Your Tongue

Overview

You brush and floss twice a day, but you could be doing your mouth a disservice if you aren’t also attacking the bacteria living on your tongue. Whether it’s to fight bad breath or just for good dental health, cleaning your tongue is important, dentists say.

Your tongue is covered with bacteria

Coffee turns it brown, red wine turns it red. The truth is, your tongue is just as much of a target for bacteria as your teeth are, even if it is not at risk for developing cavities itself.

“Bacteria will accumulate greatly in the areas of the tongue between the taste buds and other tongue structures,” says John D. Kling, DDS, of Alexandria, Virginia. “It’s not smooth. There are crevices and elevations all over the tongue, and the bacteria will hide in these areas unless it is removed.”

Rinsing won’t work

So, what is this buildup? It’s not just harmless saliva, says Kling. It’s a biofilm, or a group of microorganisms, that stick together on the surface of the tongue. And unfortunately, getting rid of it isn’t as simple as drinking water or using mouthwash.

“It’s difficult to kill the bacteria in the biofilm because, for example, when mouth rinses are used, only the outer cells of the biofilm are destroyed,” says Kling. “The cells beneath the surface still thrive.”

These bacteria can lead to bad breath and even tooth damage. Because of this, it’s necessary to physically remove the bacteria by brushing or cleaning.

How to clean your tongue

Kling says you should brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. It’s pretty simple:

  • brush back and forth
  • brush side to side
  • rinse your mouth with water

Be careful not to over brush, though. You don’t want to break the skin!

Some people prefer to use a tongue scraper. These are available in most drugstores. The American Dental Association says there is no evidence that tongue scrapers work to prevent halitosis (bad breath).

Bad breath still a problem?

Cleaning your tongue usually makes bad breath go away, but if it’s still a problem, you may want to consult with a dentist or your doctor. Your problem could be more serious. Bad breath can be caused by tooth decay; infections in your mouth, nose, sinuses, or throat; medications; and even cancer or diabetes.

Tongue brushing is an easy addition to your daily dental routine. Experts recommend making it a regular habit.

We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment