Q&A: Brushing Your Tongue

Posted December 15, 2015

Have you ever found yourself instructing your child to brush his or her tongue only to wonder if you’re offering the correct advice? Perhaps this is something you have never done but you have a feeling you’re supposed to include tongue brushing as part of dental hygiene. Allow us to offer some clarification on this matter with a helpful Q&A session. You and your child will find that this simple step can provide your brushing routines with exceptional benefits without much extra effort.

Questions and Answers About Brushing Your Tongue

Question: Should my child be brushing his or her tongue as a part of a dental hygiene routine? Should I be brushing mine, as well?

Answer: Yes! You and your child should both brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth. Remember that you simply need to gently sweep your toothbrush (with toothpaste) against your tongue – anything too vigorous may result in discomfort or irritation.

Question: Why do you suggest this?

Answer: We suggest cleaning your tongue because this part of your oral cavity tends to harbor bacteria and food particles. As you know, the goal of dental hygiene and preventive care is to remove these substances, so your smile remains healthy and clean. As a major benefit, cleaning your tongue promotes fresher breath by removing the foul-odor-causing bacteria that you have been leaving behind.

Question: My child doesn’t like the way this feels – is there another, gentler way to remove bacteria without using a toothbrush?

Answer: If you are unhappy with this sensation, seek out what is called a “tongue scraper” or “tongue cleaner” in the dental hygiene aisle. This smooth device will comfortably and efficiently remove bacteria.