Most of know the do’s and don’t of oral hygiene. Most of us even have a daily routine that involves brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. However, the primary area that remains neglected is one of the most important: the tongue. This is a shame because adequately cleaning one’s tongue is not that difficult and can be accomplished in a variety of ways: using a toothbrush, tongue scraper, or even a metal spoon. What’s more, those who neglect to brush their tongue will find themselves subject to bad breath and a multitude of other problems. Here to give you an idea of what some of those problems are is a list of five reasons to brush your tongue every day.
1. Get Rid of Bad Breath
The tongue is the primary source of halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath. Most oral bacteria reside on the tongue. So if you are just brushing your teeth and flossing you will definitely still be subject to bad breath, rendering those other hygienic efforts futile. Even worse, if you neglect to brush your tongue for a long period of time, the bacteria will transfer to your teeth and gums, resulting in a host of other problems.
2. Reduce Stomach Problems
Using a tongue scraper on a daily basis can help reduce indigestion, upset stomachs, and ulcers. This is because bacteria from the tongue can move down the throat and into your stomach. This results in residual acid flares and other unpleasantries.
3. Prevent Chances of Tooth Decay
Since bacteria commonly resides on the tongue, it can easily travel to other areas of the mouth. One of its favorite areas to reside is on the teeth and gums, which can eventually result in gingivitis or tooth decay. This unfortunate effect cannot be reduced by simple brushing and flossing. The best way to prevent it from spreading is to clean the tongue after brushing.
4. Strengthen the Immune System
Many bacterium carry viruses that can cause various illnesses. Fortunately, the chances of this happening can be greatly reduced by scraping one’s tongue and following up with mouthwash.
5. Give Your Organs a Boost
Believe it or not, the tongue indicates the status of one’s internal organs. Monitoring the tongue every day gives a good indication as to whether any of one’s internal organs are inflamed. Consequently keeping the tongue clean is crucial to maintaining healthy internal organs.
