The Truth About Scraping Your Tongue

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Have you ever considered using a tongue scraper? Do you know what the benefits of brushing your tongue are? Today, our team is happy to give you the answers to questions like these.

Strictly speaking, brushing your tongue isn’t necessary—though it may not be a bad idea. Your tongue will naturally clean itself as it moves against food and is covered in saliva. Similarly, the bacteria on your tongue can spread to your teeth. However, it takes twenty-four hours for plaque to form, so as long as you brush every day, your smile should be safe. However, because your tongue does house bacteria, it can lead to bad breath. Therefore, if you struggle with bad breath, brushing your tongue could help. Similarly, it could be good to brush your tongue if you eat foods that cling to your tongue or leave an unpleasant aftertaste, such as garlic, onions, and salmon.

Fortunately, brushing your tongue is as simple as it seems. You can use your brush to gently remove plaque from your tongue, but some people find that brushing with a toothbrush causes gagging. If you have this problem, a tongue scraper could be all you need. These useful tools come in a variety of shapes and materials designed to meet your specific needs.

Finally, if you’re dealing with recurring bad breath, please visit our practice. You could have gum disease or another issue that Dr. John Blake should address. If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 248-693-5800. We’ll gladly answer any questions you have. We’re excited to hear from you.