Don’t ignore your tongue

You’re brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day and going to the dentist every 6 months. It may seem like you’re doing everything right to maintain good oral health, but you still might be forgetting something — the health of your tongue!  

The health of your tongue is just as important as the health of your teeth and gums. The tastebud filled muscle is covered in bacteria and requires regular cleaning to maintain good oral health.  

Keep up with the health of your tongue by brushing your tongue regularly, using specialized tongue scrapers and checking for any odd sores or bumps. Dentists recommend that you brush your tongue twice a day, just as often as you brush your teeth. Most recommend brushing your tongue after brushing your teeth and doing it right before bed to reduce the number of bacteria that grows.  

Simply rinsing your tongue with mouthwash is not good enough! Bacteria can cling to the crevices on your tongue and the only way to remove it is by brushing and scraping!  

Visiting the dentist regularly is another way to look after the health of your tongue! Book an appointment with Jackson Dental by calling (573) 243-5200 or stopping by our office at 3100 E Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO.