Tips for Tongue Hygiene

So you brush and floss your teeth two to three times a day as is recommended. That’s great! But did you know that you should also be brushing your tongue? Just as your teeth and braces are covered in food and bacteria throughout the day, so is your tongue. Your tongue has its own nooks and crannies that it could be carrying just as much bacteria as your teeth. This creates the perfect environment for bad breath. We at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, have a couple of tips to get you on the right track to good tongue hygiene.

We know what you’re thinking, “isn’t my tongue cleaned enough with toothpaste and a good rinse?” Unfortunately, like your teeth need a good scrubbing to get them clean, so does your tongue. That buildup on your tongue is so tough to remove that even mouthwash doesn’t always do the job. If anything, mouthwash successfully removes the top layer of bacteria, but what’s underneath can still thrive. The bacteria can lead to not only bad breath but tooth damage.

Every time you brush your teeth, brush back and forth and side to side on your tongue to remove some of that buildup, then rinse with water. Be careful not to over brush though, it would be very uncomfortable if you broke the skin! Just a gentle yet thorough brushing will do the trick. Some people prefer tongue scrapers, though there is no proven evidence that tongue scrapers prevent bad breath.


We are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces has three separate offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area for your convenience. For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please visit kidzconnextion.com. You can also call 623-232-0749 for our N. 75th Ave. office, 480-666-5984 for the N. 24th St. office, and 480-405-4714 for the E. Baseline Rd. office.

Cleaning Your Child's Tongue

Teaching your child good dental hygiene habits now will follow them into successful adulthood! That’s why our staff here at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces recommend teaching your child how to brush their tongue at a young age. The tongue is often overlooked in the everyday dental routine. Cleaning it is just as important as your teeth or gums. That’s why our office has provided this informational guide to tongue cleaning.

There’s no need to worry about gum disease or teeth decay when your child cleans their tongue. Doing so dramatically improves their oral health. Before learning how your child should be cleaning their tongue, learn why. The answer is simple: the tongues natural stickiness holds on to unhealthy bacteria and food debris. This causes tooth decay and other dental problems. Brushing and flossing cleans the majority of your child's mouth, but not all of it. That’s where tongue cleaning comes in.

Sure, having your child brush their tongue is better than nothing. But most grocery stores and supermarkets sell small handheld dental devices called tongue scrapers. They are made for children too! The children sizes vary by age. You’ll want to buy a scraper that covers the entire width of the tongue.

Avoid having your child use a tongue scraper before the age of five years old. Model the correct way of cleaning for them. You should always clean your tongue first before brushing and flossing.

Place your child in front of a mirror so they can see themselves. Have them stick their tongue out. While watching themselves in the mirror, help them place the scraper towards the back of their tongue. Walk them through the process of gently stroking the applicator downwards. After reaching the tip, rinse the scraper off. Do this a few times until you’re satisfied that their tongue is clean.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. Find us on N. 75th Ave., N. 24th St., and E. Baseline Rd. Contact each office to schedule an appointment or visit our website.