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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Is brushing your tongue good for you?
Related Topic
Is it beneficial to brush your tongue after brushing your teeth? -
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9
Thanks
Dr Arnold Baume
Dentist
Brushing your tongue is good for you . Halitosis or bad breath has an element of cause from bacteria on your tongue . Brush your tongue with a toothbrush or special tongue brushes (there are a few different shaped tongue brushes some better then others..ask your chemist ) .
If you are using a mouthwash in your oral hygeine regime as I recommend . First ,brush your teeth and tongue . This will make your mouthwash much more effective when used after.
In summary brush the top and underside of your tongue for one minute . As gagging reflex permits.
Brushing your tongue probably eliminates a lot of excess bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to general health problems (but this is rare). Yes you should also use toothpaste.
Brush your tongue once or twice a day .Report this post
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6
Thanks
Dr Keith Hengpoonthana
Dentist
Principal dentist of Newington Dental Care. Previous teaching staff for the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney. Special interest in dental anxiety management and orthodontics. … View Profile
Dr. Baume is right, you must clean your tongue ! Even more effective is a tongue scraper, you can purchase this from your local pharmacy. It has a handle and soft plastic scraping edge (it doesn't hurt if used correctly), place it as far back on the top surface of the tongue as you can (without causing you to gag), press firmly and scrape forward. You really should see what this is able to get off your tongue, urghhhh……..
Have fun. Take care :)Report this post
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4
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Dr Barbara Szylkarski
Dentist
Dr Barbara Szylkarski has 18 years experience in private practice dentistry for adults and children. She has also worked alongside one of brisbanes renowned prosthodontists, … View Profile
Absolutely. The top of the tongue is thought to be the location of the bacterial population that cause bad breadth. These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide gas, otherwise known as “rotten egg gas” because of its very bad smell.
Brushing the tongue particularly first thing in the morning after brushing will help to decrease the population of bacteria producing this gas.
There are many tongue cleaners on the market, but a good old toothbrush is often sufficient.
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2
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Dr Kevin Jaffar
Dentist
Jaffar Dental - Trusted and Established since 1997. We are a family owned General Dental Practice offering a friendly and caring environment in Waterford QLD. … View Profile
Yes, especially for smokers.
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4
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Dr Jeremy Rourke
Dentist
Brushing away a coating that develops on your tongue can help to give you a fresh breath, but if your tongue is sore or has deep fissures it may be best to avoid brushing the tongue. If you brush your tongue make sure you do it gently.
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