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.

Tongue Scraper

A tongue scraper may sound like a torture device, but it’s actually a very effective oral hygiene tool. To assist with preventing bad breath, a tongue scraper can be used after you finish brushing and flossing and it will take excess bacteria off the tongue and out of the mouth. Tongue scrapers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and our doctor at Kidz Connextion is here to explain how they work.

If you’ve ever stuck your tongue out in a mirror and noticed a white coating on top, this is a combination of plaque, leftover food, and bacteria. To clean your tongue using this tool, place it at the back of the tongue, pulling the scraper forward. You may choose to clean your tongue with a toothbrush, but a tongue scraper is just slightly more effective in removing this layer of biofilm. Investing in a tongue scraper is not necessary, but it can help you reach the next level of clean when it comes to your oral hygiene routine.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.