Tongue, nest of bacteria
Bacteria isn’t just in the spaces between your teeth. As a result, almost half of the bacteria that live in our mouths come from the tongue, especially the culprit of bad breath.
with her toothbrush
A toothbrush can be used to clean your tongue, even if it wasn’t originally designed to clean your tongue.
Although researched for cleaning both smooth and hard surfaces of teeth, it will still remove some bacteria.
However, the bristles should be soft so as not to injure the tongue.
toothbrush with built-in scraper
It’s best to buy a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper, as it’s specially designed for the spongy texture of your tongue and will remove nearly all bacteria.
use a tongue scraper
It is the most effective because it is specifically designed to clean the tongue.
It comes in many forms: clips, flexible loops, etc. Its mode of action is purely mechanical: it scrapes the tongue with each pass, thus removing all germs.
Which material to choose?
Tongue cleaners are available in metal, plastic or silicone. Metal ones are the most hygienic and durable, just run them under very hot water after use. Plastic is the cheapest, but also the least durable, so it must be replaced regularly.
Mouthwash
Mouthwashes are antibacterial and can effectively help fight germs.
However, be careful with alcohol-based mouthwashes: They can irritate the tongue, especially when brushed over vigorously, and dry out the mucous membranes.
How is it actually done?
To effectively clean your tongue, your best bet is to stick your tongue out to keep it visible and avoid pushing the tongue scraper too far, which may make you want to gag.
Then scrape your tongue back and forth to avoid pushing bacteria down your throat. It takes about ten round trips for the operation to take effect. It is important to rinse the tongue scraper or toothbrush several times between round trips to remove bacterial deposits.
