The Truth on Tongue Brushing

The Truth on Tongue Brushing

Have you ever been told that you need to brush your tongue? Have you made an effort to make it a normal part of your dental routine? If not, should you?

Cleaning your tongue isn’t actually necessary, especially if you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, floss daily, and visit a dentist every six months. One of the most important things you can do to protect your oral health is removing the bacteria that could ultimately lead to gum disease. While it is true that your tongue could have bacteria on it—and that the bacteria may spread back to your teeth—but it takes at least 24 hours for plaque to form. In other words, if you brush once a day, plaque won’t form. Still, we strongly recommend brushing twice every day.

But please don’t misunderstand. It’s not necessarily a bad idea to brush your tongue. In fact, it may even help you, especially if you have persistent bad breath. As mentioned before, there are bacteria on your tongue. Unfortunately, that can lead to unpleasant odors. In fact, if you have a good deal of bacteria on your tongue, a tongue scraper or a toothbrush with a built-in cleaner may help you.  When it comes to bad breath, many people find brushing their tongue very beneficial. It may also be a good idea to brush your tongue after you eat certain foods, such as salmon, garlic, or onions. The taste of foods such as these can linger on your tongue.

If you would like more information on the importance of brushing your tongue—or are interested in scheduling an appointment with our team—please don’t hesitate to contact our practice. We are eager to hear from you.


Pelham Dental Group