The easiest and most accessible way to clean your tongue is with your toothbrush – just make sure it's a soft one! Another option is to use a two-in-one toothbrush with a tongue brush on the back of the head. Many well-known dental brands manufacture a range of toothbrushes with built-in tongue cleaners.
Toothbrushes: You don't require a fancy tool for cleaning your tongue. You can just brush your tongue by using a standard toothbrush, and by following short side-to-side and back-and-forth strokes. You can also do this while brushing your teeth, or after brushing your teeth.
Cleaning your tongue is an important part of your oral care. And using a toothbrush to brush your tongue isn't the only option for taking care of your tongue. A tongue brush or tongue scraper may provide a more thorough clean than most toothbrushes when it comes to the tongue.
They suggest that brushing or scraping the tongue adversely affects the numbers and diversity of the oral microbiome. This, in turn, reduces or even eliminates an important source of nitric oxide, and can lead to hypertension. A study at the University of Texas adds to the evidence.
White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
After cleaning your tongue with either a scraper or toothbrush, check your tongue in a mirror. If it is pink and fresh looking, that means you cleaned it properly. However, if you notice a white or yellowish discoloration, clean it a few more times!
Not brushing your tongue causes overgrown bacteria, giving off a foul smell or stink. Besides causing great embarrassment, lousy breath can increase your risk of digestive issues such as reflux and GERD. Fortunately, the bad breath will go away once you brush your tongue and mouth.
Electric toothbrushes can also be used to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Your tongue and soft tissues can harbour lots of bacteria too and need to be cleaned as well as your teeth.
Start by reaching to the back of the tongue, and then work forwards towards the opening of the mouth. Brush the entire top surface of the tongue using gentle pressure, and finish by rinsing with water. For a more thorough cleaning, use a tongue scraper.
A healthy tongue should be pink, pain-free, and covered in tiny projections called papillae. Changes in its color, texture, or sensations could indicate issues with your oral health along with other conditions within your body.
Poor oral hygiene: Food, dead cells, bacteria, and other debris don't get cleaned thoroughly or often enough. Dehydration: It is important to consume plenty of water and other healthy liquids to stimulate good bacteria in your mouth. A dehydrated tongue can appear cracked, dry, and white.
Best tongue brush
“As tempting as it is to assume the toothbrush would do the same job as a tongue brush, toothbrush bristles are too soft because they are designed to brush teeth but not damage enamel so they tend not to remove enough biofilm from the tongue,” says Smith. He recommends giving Orabrush a try.
An unhealthy tongue. If your tongue is a different colour than pink, or has large patches of white, brown, black, or another colour, this might indicate a specific health issue. Similarly, if you have large bumps or no bumps at all, you may also want to speak to a doctor.
Leukoplakia
People who smoke, chew tobacco, or consume excessive amounts of alcohol are at risk of leukoplakia. In most cases, these white patches are harmless, but in rare cases, leukoplakia turns into oral cancer. See your healthcare provider or dentist if you notice white patches in the mouth that do not go away.
Iron deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia – A pale (almost white), smooth tongue can be caused by a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12.
White tongue is a coating of debris, bacteria and dead cells on your tongue that makes it look white. Although the appearance of white tongue may be alarming, the condition is usually harmless and temporary.
Causes of white tongue
Dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, tobacco consumption, etc., also lead to the white tongue and bad breath. In fact, a white tongue can be a sign of halitosis in the first place.