When you are using your toothbrush, you clean your chompers and gums — but are you also cleaning off your tongue? While there are several choices for cleaning your tongue, one awesome option is to use a tongue cleaner. Tongue cleaners come in some options:
Tongue scrapers: Tongue scrapers are tools specifically designed to get rid of bacteria from the tongue, and it’s the one most associated with tongue cleaning. Tongue scrapers are utilized by placing the tip of the scraper at the back of the oral cavity, then pulling the scraper forward. Rinse off the scraper just as you would a brush after brushing.
Tongue brushes: Tongue brushes are new to the dental hygiene scene, and they look like a typical toothbrush, but their bristles are developed to clean the crevices of tongues. These work about as effectively as a tongue scraper, and you can sometimes find combo tongue brushes/toothbrushes.
Toothbrushes: Finally, you can also use a toothbrush to clean your tongue. Although this method doesn’t require you to acquire another oral tool, it will not clean your tongue as effectively: tongue scrapers are about 50% more powerful than toothbrushes at removing bacteria and slime from tongues.
If you’re considering a pinker, cleaner tongue, a tongue cleaner might be right for you. To learn more about tongue scrapers, please phone us at 972-636-2417 now to speak with Drs. Edmon R. Hutchison and/or our Royse City, Texas, Royse City Dental Care team.