Brushing your teeth is engraved into your mind as a habitual task to perform twice a day no matter what, but do you maintain this same consistency when it comes to brushing your tongue? Most people don’t realize that if you neglect the tongue from your daily regimen of good oral hygiene, then you’re only doing half the job at removing the bacteria from your mouth. Throughout the day, your tongue’s taste buds, crevices, and elevations collect bacteria that remain hidden unless physically removed.

At Reimels Miller & Paterra Dentistry, we advise our patients to brush their tongues at least twice a day. Here are few reasons why you should too:

• Halitosis (Bad Breath): The build-up of bacteria on your tongue can result in halitosis or bad breath. By committing to brushing your tongue regularly, you can trade this unwanted bacteria and odor for fresh breath and a healthier mouth.
• Oral Thrush (Yeast Infection): When you don’t brush your tongue regularly, you can develop a yeast infection inside your mouth from the embedded bacteria. This bacteria eventually cause a yeast infection to appear in the form of white patches on your
  tongue.
• Black Hair Tongue: This occurs when the tiny bumps on your tongue known as papillae are stained by dark foods and drinks such as coffee, red wine, or soda. If you brush your tongue regularly, you can avoid these unwanted stains.
• Periodontal Disease: Even if you brush your teeth well, built-up bacteria on your tongue can still make its way to your teeth and cause inflammation to the gums. Without proper treatment, this inflammation can result in periodontal disease. Making the
  habit of brushing your tongue helps prevent this chain of events from occurring.

If you experience any of the above, don’t worry. We have solutions! Add brushing your tongue to your daily regimen and come visit our dental professionals at Reimels Miller & Paterra Dentistry twice-yearly to maintain a healthy smile.

Give us a call at 704-948-1111 or email us to make an appointment today!