Difference between revisions of "Clean Your Tongue Properly"
m (Text replacement - "[[Category:O" to "[[Category: O") |
|||
| (4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
The tongue has the heaviest bacterial amount of any part of your mouth. Nevertheless, many people do not take time to clean their tongue. When you do not clean your tongue properly, you can have negative side effects. Help yourself avoid bad breath, increased tooth decay, and an unsightly tongue. Make sure you clean your tongue properly. | The tongue has the heaviest bacterial amount of any part of your mouth. Nevertheless, many people do not take time to clean their tongue. When you do not clean your tongue properly, you can have negative side effects. Help yourself avoid bad breath, increased tooth decay, and an unsightly tongue. Make sure you clean your tongue properly. | ||
| − | [[Category:Oral Hygiene]] | + | [[Category: Oral Hygiene]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Understanding the Tongue === | === Understanding the Tongue === | ||
| − | #Check out your tongue. Look at the different parts of it. It is not smooth surface, and all those bumps and crevices can harbor bacteria. Half the bacteria in your mouth lives on your tongue.<ref>http://www.dentalhealthweek.com.au/Parents/Kids/tongue-cleaning.html</ref> This can form a film over your tongue, and contribute to a variety of health problems. Your tongue should be pink, and stark discolorations should be taken note of and remedied. Be sure to see an oral health professional if you experience any of these things:<ref>http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coated-tongue/Pages/Introduction.aspx</ref> | + | #Check out your tongue. Look at the different parts of it. It is not smooth surface, and all those bumps and crevices can harbor bacteria. Half the bacteria in your mouth lives on your tongue.<ref name="rf15583">http://www.dentalhealthweek.com.au/Parents/Kids/tongue-cleaning.html</ref> This can form a film over your tongue, and contribute to a variety of health problems. Your tongue should be pink, and stark discolorations should be taken note of and remedied. Be sure to see an oral health professional if you experience any of these things:<ref name="rf8231">http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coated-tongue/Pages/Introduction.aspx</ref> |
#*Strong concern regarding changes in the appearance of your tongue. | #*Strong concern regarding changes in the appearance of your tongue. | ||
#*Tongue coating persists longer than two weeks. | #*Tongue coating persists longer than two weeks. | ||
#*If you experience persistent tongue pain. | #*If you experience persistent tongue pain. | ||
#*White areas or desquamation on the surface of your tongue. | #*White areas or desquamation on the surface of your tongue. | ||
| − | #Know how cleaning your tongue helps. When you use a cleaner on your tongue, you do more than just help fight bad breath. You break up the tissue on the tongue, which helps to avoid hairy tongue.<ref>http://www.aaom.com/hairy-tongue</ref> You also remove bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to a variety of health issues, and this includes cleaning your tongue. | + | #Know how cleaning your tongue helps. When you use a cleaner on your tongue, you do more than just help fight bad breath. You break up the tissue on the tongue, which helps to avoid hairy tongue.<ref name="rf15584">http://www.aaom.com/hairy-tongue</ref> You also remove bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to a variety of health issues, and this includes cleaning your tongue. |
#*It controls unwanted bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. | #*It controls unwanted bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. | ||
#*It fights bad breath. | #*It fights bad breath. | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
=== Choosing a Tool === | === Choosing a Tool === | ||
#[[Choose a Tongue Cleaner|Pick a style of tool]]. There are different types of tongue cleaning tools. Scrapers are the most common. Tongue brushes, while relatively recent, are also relatively common. “Tongue cleaners” are common tools that have a series of soft ridges for pulling across the tongue. | #[[Choose a Tongue Cleaner|Pick a style of tool]]. There are different types of tongue cleaning tools. Scrapers are the most common. Tongue brushes, while relatively recent, are also relatively common. “Tongue cleaners” are common tools that have a series of soft ridges for pulling across the tongue. | ||
| − | #*Research shows both tongue scraping and tongue brushing to be equally effective in reducing the plaque.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086606/</ref> | + | #*Research shows both tongue scraping and tongue brushing to be equally effective in reducing the plaque.<ref name="rf15585">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086606/</ref> |
#*Some combination scraper-brushes are also available, enabling you to brush while you scrape. | #*Some combination scraper-brushes are also available, enabling you to brush while you scrape. | ||
| − | #*Toothbrushes with a tongue scraping feature were found to be just as effective as a separate tool.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19089259</ref> | + | #*Toothbrushes with a tongue scraping feature were found to be just as effective as a separate tool.<ref name="rf15586">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19089259</ref> |
#Determine the material. There are many different materials that tongue cleaning devices are made out of. Metal, plastic and silicon are common materials. You may find that you prefer one material over another. Give a few different ones a try. | #Determine the material. There are many different materials that tongue cleaning devices are made out of. Metal, plastic and silicon are common materials. You may find that you prefer one material over another. Give a few different ones a try. | ||
#*Stainless steel and copper are two common metals used. Scrapers made from these metals can also safely get placed in hot water for sterilization. | #*Stainless steel and copper are two common metals used. Scrapers made from these metals can also safely get placed in hot water for sterilization. | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
=== Cleaning Your Tongue === | === Cleaning Your Tongue === | ||
#Extend your tongue. This is so that you can access the full length. You will want to make sure you clean as much of your tongue as you can. By extending your tongue all the way, you can also help yourself avoid gagging. | #Extend your tongue. This is so that you can access the full length. You will want to make sure you clean as much of your tongue as you can. By extending your tongue all the way, you can also help yourself avoid gagging. | ||
| − | #Scrape or brush your tongue from the back of the tongue to the front<ref>http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/brushing-the-tongue</ref>. Do this repeatedly. It is said that it should be done first thing every morning before eating or drinking. It is recommended you do this at least twice a day, with your regular brushing.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/in-depth/health-tip/art-20048785</ref> | + | #Scrape or brush your tongue from the back of the tongue to the front<ref name="rf15587">http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/brushing-the-tongue</ref>. Do this repeatedly. It is said that it should be done first thing every morning before eating or drinking. It is recommended you do this at least twice a day, with your regular brushing.<ref name="rf15588">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/in-depth/health-tip/art-20048785</ref> |
#*You will get a buildup of residue on the tool. Rinse it off, and continue until you've worked over your whole tongue. | #*You will get a buildup of residue on the tool. Rinse it off, and continue until you've worked over your whole tongue. | ||
#*Be gentle. Do not break the skin or push too hard. | #*Be gentle. Do not break the skin or push too hard. | ||
#*Only go from back to front. | #*Only go from back to front. | ||
#*Take your time. | #*Take your time. | ||
| − | #Rinse your mouth. Use mouthwash and rinse thoroughly to wash away any remaining loose residue, and to freshen your breath.<ref>http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health/brushing-your-tongue#HowTo4</ref> Try swishing the liquids around a bit in order to make sure your tongue is thoroughly rinsed off. | + | #Rinse your mouth. Use mouthwash and rinse thoroughly to wash away any remaining loose residue, and to freshen your breath.<ref name="rf15589">http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health/brushing-your-tongue#HowTo4</ref> Try swishing the liquids around a bit in order to make sure your tongue is thoroughly rinsed off. |
#*Alcohol based mouthwashes can dry your mouth out. | #*Alcohol based mouthwashes can dry your mouth out. | ||
#*Try using a mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide for extreme situations. | #*Try using a mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide for extreme situations. | ||
