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If you’re passionate about maintaining your shining smile, you’re probably aware that home care plays a crucial role. Visiting the dentist in East Nashville is key to identifying dental diseases early on. However, it’s the work you put in every day that makes the difference in preventing these conditions in the first place. 

Brushing after every meal and flossing daily is key. However, your teeth and gums aren’t the only surfaces in your mouth that can accumulate bacteria. Your tongue, too, can become the breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria, so what can you do to keep it clean?

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Tongue?  

Your tongue is a muscle designed to facilitate speaking, chewing, and swallowing. It is covered in tiny bumps called papillae, which allow you to taste and feel different textures. However, the spaces between them can also harbor bacteria.  

While most of those bacteria are the “good kind” that help keep your mouth healthy, some types can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and foul breath. Cleaning your tongue regularly can prevent bad bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from accumulating and causing trouble.

What Is Tongue Scraping and What Benefits Does It Have to Offer 

Tongue scraping is a little-known oral hygiene method intended to clean your tongue’s rough surface. While no amount of scraping can replace good toothbrushing, it offers several benefits that can encourage people to incorporate this extra step into their morning and evening routine. 

Studies show that tongue scraping can effectively remove plaque and bacteria from the tongue’s surface, improving bad breath more effectively than brushing. That’s because the little papilla covering your tongue’s surface can harbor as much as 90% of the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath. 

Tongue scraping also helps remove debris, bacteria, and dead cells, keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Moreover, most drugstores sell tongue-scraping devices made of plastic, copper, or stainless steel. 

Further Benefits of Tongue Scraping 

Taking care of your tongue is important for oral health, even if it is not always on your mind. Some of the advantages of tongue scraping are: 

• Improved Flavor: Scraping the surface of your tongue can remove debris and allow you to detect stronger flavor profiles. 
• Fresher Breath: Your tongue contains many bacteria that cause odors. Scraping your tongue can help you avoid bad breath. 
• Improved Health: Proper oral hygiene is essential to overall well-being. Scraping your tongue can remove harmful bacteria that inflame your gums and prevent cavities.

Keep Your Mouth Clean with a Dentist in East Nashville  

Oral hygiene plays a big role in your oral health. By ensuring your mouth is clean and free from cavity-causing bacteria, you can prevent tooth decay, reduce the chances of gum disease, and avoid adult tooth loss. 

Additionally, frequent dental cleanings are key. During these visits, a hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup before it can damage teeth and gums. If it’s been more than six months since your last professional cleaning, contact Greenwood Local Dentistry!