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Brush your tongue when brushing your teeth? Doctor reminds: this matter a lot of people wrong, there will be bad breath

Lily has always attached great importance to oral hygiene. Brush your teeth morning and night, floss regularly, and even visit your dentist every few months for check-ups. However, despite his efforts, he struggled with bad breath.

By Tabita BlackwellPublished 3 years ago • 3 min read

At a gathering of friends, he accidentally heard from a friend that you should also clean your tongue when brushing your teeth. This surprised him, for he had always thought it would be enough to just focus on cleaning his teeth. After returning home, an to study the problem. He found that bacteria on the tongue are, in fact, one of the main caus

The surface of the tongue has a lot of small pits and fluff, food debris and bacteria can easily hide in these places. If not cleaned properly, these bacteria break down food canzha residue and produce foul-smelling gases, which can lead to bad breath.

Xiao Li realized that although his teeth were well maintained, he had neglected to clean his tongue, which could be the reason why he had been having bad breath. From that day on, he decided to brush his tongue gently every time he brushed his teeth in an attempt to improve his bad breath.

Over time, Xiao Li found that his bad breath did decrease. He began to realize that oral hygiene is not just about brushing teeth, but also about cleaning the entire mouth, including the tongue.

Bad breath is a widespread problem that affects many People's Daily lives and social activities. Although there are a variety of reasons that can cause bad breath, bacterial buildup on the tongue is one of the most common causes. Therefore, proper oral hygiene habits should include the cleaning of the tongue.

Before we discuss this topic, let's first understand the basics of bad breath. Halitosis, medically known as halitosis, is an unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth.

This can happen occasionally, or it can be persistent. According to research, bad breath is mainly caused by bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria thrive in the absence of oxygen and break down food scraps, dead cells and other materials. In the process, they produce sulfur-containing compounds that are a major source of bad breath.

So why do we brush our tongues? In fact, the tongue is one of the hot spots in the mouth where bacteria gather. The tongue has a rough surface with many small bumps and grooves, which are ideal hiding places for bacteria and food debris. If the tongue is not cleaned regularly, these residues can accumulate, leading to bacterial overgrowth, which can produce bad breath.

Tongue cleaning is essential for maintaining oral hygiene. This not only reduces bad breath, but can also help reduce the overall burden of bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. In addition, cleaning the tongue also helps to improve taste, as the bacterial covering on the tongue may hinder the normal function of taste buds.

To properly clean your tongue, use the back of a toothbrush or a specialized tongue scraper. Gently scrape from the back of your tongue to the front and repeat several times until you feel your tongue clean. It should be noted that you should not exert too much force, so as not to cause tongue irritation or injury.

Besides cleaning the tongue, there are other factors that may contribute to bad breath. Understanding these factors is essential for a comprehensive response to bad breath.

Dry mouth: Dry mouth, also known as "thirst," is a common cause of bad breath. Saliva plays an important role in the mouth, not only aiding digestion, but also cleaning the mouth and neutralizing the acidic substances that cause bad breath.

When the mouth is dry, the rate at which bacteria multiply is accelerated, resulting in bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of reasons, including talking for long periods of time, breathing with your mouth open while sleeping, taking certain medications, and chronic dehydration.

Poor eating habits: Certain foods, such as garlic, Onions, and certain spicy foods, may cause bad breath when broken down. In addition, excessive sugar consumption can also promote the growth of bacteria in the mouth, increasing the risk of bad breath.

So, while cleaning your tongue is an important step in alleviating bad breath, it's just as important to maintain good oral hygiene habits and overall health. If bad breath problems persist, a medical professional should be consulted to rule out any underlying health problems.

Brushing your tongue while brushing your teeth is a simple but effective step that can significantly improve oral hygiene and reduce bad breath. However, this is only one part of a broader oral health management plan. Remember, a healthy mouth isn't just about a beautiful smile, it's a reflection of your overall health.

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    Written by Tabita Blackwell