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Dental Tips from Elizabeth Chaloupek, DDS - 580-233-1420
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Whether it’s to fight bad breath or just for good dental health, cleaning your tongue is important, dentists say. Bacteria accumulates in the areas of the tongue between the taste buds and other tongue structures. There are crevices and elevations all over your tongue, and the bacteria will hide in these areas unless it is removed.
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Bacteria can lead to bad breath and even tooth damage. Because of this, it’s necessary to physically remove the bacteria by brushing or cleaning. The bacteria on the tongue can redeposit onto teeth and gums, even after they’ve been cleaned, increasing the likelihood of plaque and tartar buildup.
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Brushing your tongue by gently scrubbing your tongue from back to tip with a moistened toothbrush. You can do this most effectively while brushing your teeth by spitting out excess toothpaste after cleaning your teeth but before rinsing so that your mouth and toothbrush still have toothpaste residue on them.
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A tongue scraper is designed to glide along the surface of your tongue, taking off the tongue’s layer of mucus, as well as the bacteria and debris it traps. Use even pressure by sliding the scraper down along the tongue’s surface towards the tip.
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Do NOT clean your tongue forcefully. It shouldn’t hurt to have your tongue cleaned; overly aggressive cleaning of the tongue can cause damage to it.
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Cleaning your tongue should be a part of your daily oral health routine. Bacteria begins to build up on the surface of teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue very soon after brushing, so a daily tongue cleaning, just like regular brushing and flossing.
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This dental tip is presented by Dr. Elizabeth Chaloupek & the crew at The Dental Practice at Enid & Fairview, 1420 W. Garriott #3. They are taking new patients and love seeing families! Call for an appointment 580-233-1420. www.enidsmiles.com.
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