Should I Be Brushing My Tongue?

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You’ve heard about brushing your teeth, but have you ever considered brushing your tongue, as well? Maintaining a clean mouth can help you avoid problems like bad breath, gum disease, and cavities.

If you’re wondering whether brushing your tongue can be beneficial, the dentist in Monticello, NY, can help you decide. At Berson Family Dentistry, we help answer patient questions to help them maintain healthy teeth.

Why Brush Your Tongue?

Your tongue is covered in a biofilm of bacteria. If the bacteria are allowed to grow, this can contribute to other problems in your mouth.

Removing the bacteria by brushing your tongue can help keep your mouth clean. Some dental professionals recommend that patients brush their tongue twice daily. The best way to find out if you should brush your tongue is to talk to your dentist during your next dental appointment.

How to Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue is easy with a toothbrush, but you can also use a tongue scraper. To brush your tongue with a toothbrush, place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush and place the toothbrush near the back of your tongue.

People with a strong gag reflex may need to work up to placing their toothbrush near the back. Brush the tongue with the toothbrush using gentle pressure, scraping back to front. You can do this at the same time as you’re brushing your teeth.

If you’re using a tongue scraper, place the tongue scraper near the back of the tongue and then scrape from back to front. You can scrape your tongue from different angles to get it extra clean. Rinse the tongue scraper when you’re done to keep it clean as well.

Benefits of Brushing Your Tongue

There are many potential benefits of brushing your tongue, including:

  • Reduce the bacteria in the mouth
  • Fight bad breath
  • Help maintain a clean mouth

Other Ways to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Fresh Breath

There are many things you can do to maintain healthy teeth and fresh breath. See your dentist for general dentistry services in Monticello, NY, on a regular basis. Get your teeth professionally cleaned twice per year. Have more questions? Call today to speak with one of our dental professionals.

Have Bad Breath? When to See a Dentist

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Bad breath can be a product of your diet, or it can be a sign of a problem. Knowing the causes of bad breath and what to do about it can help you take care of your oral health. If you have bad breath, your dentist in Monticello, NY, can help. Here’s what you need to know about bad breath.

Bad Breath Causes

There are numerous causes of bad breath, so some people have a hard time understanding why they experience it.

  • Diet. Some foods are more likely to cause bad breath. Foods like garlic get into the bloodstream after they’re consumed, and this causes bad breath.
  • Dry mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles in the mouth. If you have a dry mouth, you are more likely to experience bad breath.
  • Periodontal disease. Gum disease is an infection that causes bad breath.
  • Cavities. Cavities are caused by tooth decay. Bacteria in the cavity can cause bad breath.
  • Poor oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth should make your bad breath go away. If you don’t brush your teeth frequently enough, you may have bad breath all day.

When to Be Concerned

If you’ve brushed your teeth and your breath still smells – and you’re not able to link your bad breath to a cause like garlic or onions – this could be a sign that you have a problem like gum disease. Talk to your dentist to find out what might be causing your bad breath.

Contact Your Dentist

If you think you might have a dental problem, ask your dentist about it during your next dental checkup at Monticello, NY. Call today to make your appointment.