Why Should I Brush My Tongue?

Whether it’s your child’s first dental visit or a routine checkup, our Kerrville dental team strives to provide exceptional dental care and clear education. We’ve noticed that one area that is frequently neglected by patients in their at-home preventive care is brushing their tongue. We teach patients that brushing the tongue is an essential part of achieving optimal oral health.

Bacteria Accumulates on the Tongue

While your child may brush and floss their teeth daily, they should also brush their tongue. The tongue accumulates bacteria and food particles in the mouth. Not brushing the tongue can cause:

• Severe bad breath
• Duller taste buds
• Black hairy tongue
• Oral thrush
• Periodontal disease

How to Brush the Tongue

We recommend brushing the tongue twice a day, morning and night when brushing the teeth. The easiest way to brush the tongue is for your child to use their regular soft-bristled toothbrush. With a little toothpaste and water, start at the back of the tongue and brush your way forward, then side-to-side. Rinse and spit. Tongue scraper tools are also available, but it isn’t a must-have tool. Since the tongue is sensitive, be gentle whether you use a normal toothbrush or a tongue scraper.

Benefits of Brushing Your Tongue

Brushing the tongue will help prevent the development of dental disease. Good oral health allows your child to focus on playing, learning, and growing. It will help them feel more confident with their smile. Additionally, fewer dental issues means less time your child needs to spend receiving restorative treatments at the dentist.

Teach your child to brush their teeth and tongue now. Establishing positive oral hygiene habits early will help your child be more likely to continue them as they grow up.

Pediatric Dental Care in Kerrville, TX

At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry in Kerrville, we offer a variety of pediatric dental services. So if you need to schedule a cleaning or other dental treatment for your child, please contact us today. Our Kerrville dental team would be happy to be your local pediatric dentist!

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Categorised in: Brushing, Gum Health, Oral Hygiene, Preventive Dental Care