Photo: Monstera

How to clean your tongue?

Stick out your tongue as far as it will reach. Position your toothbrush at the back of the tongue. Brush lightly forward and backward along your tongue. Spit out saliva that appears during the brushing and rinse out the toothbrush with warm water.

healthline.com - How to Clean Your Tongue: Three Proven Methods - Healthline

Can greens hurt your stomach?

There are two major reasons why vegetables can be hard on our stomachs: soluble fiber and cellulose, or insoluble fiber. Fiber is healthy, but for...

Last updated Apr 30, 2018

How do I know I am losing fat?

10 signs you're losing weight You're not hungry all the time. ... Your sense of well-being improves. ... Your clothes fit differently. ... You're...

Last updated Sep 30, 2022

Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Tongue cleaning has been practiced in the Eastern world for hundreds of years. Studies suggest that cleaning your tongue regularly can reduce unwanted mouth bacteria that can lead to bad breath, a coated tongue, plaque buildup, and other oral health conditions. Some research says tongue scrapers are the most effective tool to use. However, you can also use toothbrushes and mouthwashes to clean your tongue. Keep reading to learn more about these tongue cleaning methods, their benefits, and how to use them. Best oral health practices In addition to tongue cleaning, good oral health includes: brushing your teeth twice a day using a toothpaste with fluoride

flossing your teeth daily

eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet

visiting your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and an oral examination Tongue scrapers are the most effective Both tongue scrapers and toothbrushes can eliminate bacteria on the tongue, but most studies have found that using a tongue scraper is more effective than using a toothbrush. A 2006 review examined two studies on tongue cleaning and bad breath and found that tongue scrapers and cleaners were more effective than toothbrushes in reducing the volatile sulfur compounds that cause breath odors. Here’s how to clean your tongue using a tongue scraper: Select a tongue scraping instrument. This may be plastic or metal. It may be bent in half making a V shape or have a handle with a rounded edge at the top. Shop online for tongue scrapers. Stick out your tongue as far as you can. Place your tongue scraper toward the back of your tongue. Press the scraper on your tongue and move it toward the front of your tongue while applying pressure. Run the tongue scraper under warm water to clear any debris and bacteria from the device. Spit out any excess saliva that may have built up during the tongue scraping. Repeat steps 2 to 5 several more times. As needed, adjust your tongue scraper placement and the pressure you apply to it to prevent a gag reflex. Clean the tongue scraper and store it for the next use. You can scrape your tongue once or twice a day. If you gag during the process, you may want to scrape your tongue before eating breakfast to avoid vomiting. How to clean your tongue with a toothbrush Although using a toothbrush may be less effective than using a tongue scraper, you may find it easier to use — especially if you’re already brushing your teeth twice a day. Here’s how to clean your tongue with a toothbrush: Choose a soft-bristle toothbrush; shop for brushes online.

Does coffee speed up metabolism?

Coffee Can Increase Your Metabolic Rate Studies show that caffeine can increase RMR by 3–11%, with larger doses having a greater effect ( 11 , 12...

Last updated Dec 22, 2020

What should I eat for breakfast if constipated?

So if you're looking to get your pooing regimen on track, here are 11 different breakfasts that will help you poo. ... 11 Breakfasts That Will Help...

Last updated Nov 20, 2021

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

shop for brushes online. Stick out your tongue as far as it will reach.

Position your toothbrush at the back of the tongue.

Brush lightly forward and backward along your tongue.

Spit out saliva that appears during the brushing and rinse out the toothbrush with warm water. Clean your tongue as often as you brush your teeth. You may want to brush with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 5 parts water once a day if your tongue is discolored. You should rinse your mouth out with water following this type of cleaning. Can oral mouth rinses clean your tongue? Mouth rinses — especially when combined with toothbrushing — can help clean your tongue and other parts of your mouth. Consider using a therapeutic mouthwash containing active ingredients to destroy bacteria in your mouth that may cause bad breath and other conditions. You can find mouthwashes over the counter or online. You can also ask your doctor or dentist to prescribe one for you. Follow the mouthwash’s instructions for best oral care. Benefits of cleaning your tongue Several studies point to the benefits of cleaning your tongue: Reduces sulfur compounds that cause bad breath A 2004 study in the Journal of Periodontology concluded that using a tongue scraper helped reduce volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. A tongue scraper removed 75 percent of these compounds and a toothbrush removed 45 percent of them. Reduces bacteria on the tongue A 2014 study in BMC Oral Health found that tongue cleaning reduced bacteria on the tongue but that levels only stayed low if the tongue cleaning occurred regularly. The article concluded that you should both brush your teeth and clean your tongue regularly for good oral health. Contributes to a fresher-feeling mouth The American Dental Association does not equate tongue cleaning with the reduction of bad breath, but it does conclude that cleaning your tongue can contribute to a fresher-feeling mouth that you might enjoy. Reduces plaque A 2013 study of plaque in children in the International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry found that regular tongue cleaning by either a toothbrush or scraper reduced plaque levels. May alter taste perceptions Tongue cleaning may alter your taste perceptions, particularly of sucrose and citric acid, according to one study .

healthline.com - How to Clean Your Tongue: Three Proven Methods - Healthline

What is the most powerful detox?

The Natural Detox Guide: 11 Most Powerful Detoxifying Foods Goji Berries. We all know vitamin C is what you need to avoid getting sick, but it also...

Last updated Mar 5, 2019

What illness makes you gain weight?

People with heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or those taking certain medications may experience this type of weight gain. You should...

Last updated Nov 29, 2018

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Do tomatoes cause inflammation?

There's another misconception out there about tomatoes and other nightshades: That they cause inflammation. (Spoiler: They don't.) Sep 7, 2021

Last updated Nov 17, 2021

Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

Which nuts increase testosterone?

One study found that walnuts and almonds increased levels of SHBG, a protein that binds to testosterone in your body. Nuts are also high in...

Last updated Aug 8, 2020