Preventing oral health problems like tooth decay and periodontal disease starts with a consistent daily routine. It’s important to brush your teeth each morning and night with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. It’s also important to thoroughly floss between each your teeth as well as along the gumline.
It’s also worth noting that adding a simple tongue cleaning to your daily routine might also help remove additional bacterial deposits. With consistency, it could help minimize issues with bad breath.
You can do this by working your soft-bristled toothbrush in a circular motion around the rough surfaces of the tongue. Some patients also like to use a special tongue scraper to remove bacterial debris.
The tongue scraper employs a simple design. It is basically a small plastic handle with a mild edge. Overlapping sweeps can help scrape plaque from your tongue. Any accumulation on the edge should be rinsed off before making another gentle pass with the tongue scraper.
After you are done brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue a vigorous rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash that has earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance can help remove loosened material while also killing additional oral bacteria.
If you live in the Portland, Oregon, area and you have an oral hygiene issue, you can call 503-255-1506 to schedule a checkup with a dentist Dr. Lee J. Cowles, DMD and the staff at Cowles Dental Care.