Play Full VideoBad breath can come from a variety of sources. While some of these might be related to a medical condition or dry mouth caused by prescription medication, it can also result from excess bacteria and plaque in your mouth. This can be especially prevalent for some denture wearers. One way to reduce the bacterial presence in your mouth is to perform a regular tongue cleaning.
You can do this after you have completely brushed and flossed your teeth by brushing your tongue in a gentle circular motion. Make sure you brush around the sides of the tongue and the rough surface of the taste buds. This will help clean your tongue of some bacteria and refresh your mouth.
Some people prefer to use a tongue scraper. This usually comes in the form of a small, plastic handle with a mildly sharp edge on one end. When using a tongue scraper, you should work from front to back, making multiple overlapping sweeps. If you notice a buildup of material on the blade edge, you should rinse it off before making another pass over your tongue.
Once your tongue has been cleaned, you can rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash. This will help wash away lingering bacteria and freshen your breath. Just keep in mind that antiseptic mouthwash can’t clean between teeth with the effectiveness of flossing. Any material left in these areas will once again promote plaque formation and bad breath.
If you have questions about bad breath or the benefits of tongue cleaning in Honolulu, Hawaii, you can always call 808-450-2155 to speak to your dentist, Dr. Edmund L. W. Char, or a member of our Char Dental dental team.