Should I Brush My Tongue and Gums? - Willow Pass Dental Care

Should you brush your tongue?

Brushing your teeth and regular teeth cleanings are essential to your oral health. You already know that.

As a board-certified dentist and prosthodontist, I can definitively state that brushing your teeth is a cornerstone oral health habit. However, did you know that brushing the rest of your mouth, not just your teeth, can be highly beneficial as well? That’s right!

In addition to brushing your teeth, you should brush the inside of your mouth as well. Many of the benefits (and some of the drawbacks) associated with dental brushing also apply to brushing the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue and the gums.

The chemical and mechanical effects of brushing your teeth, namely the removal of potentially destructive microbes from dental surfaces, can also be applied to the gums and the surface of the tongue.

Benefits of brushing your tongue

Your tongue provides an entirely different microenvironment than that of your teeth or your gums for a variety of bacterial strains.

Many of these bacterial strains are harmless, and there are some that are even beneficial. However, the tiny bumps called papillae on the surface of the tongue also serve to trap food particles and food debris. Naturally, this can lead to the proliferation of some bad strains of bacteria.

Fresher breath: Brushing your tongue helps remove bacteria, food particles, and dead cells that can cause bad breath. This helps eliminate odor-causing compounds.
Improved taste perception: A buildup of bacteria and debris on the tongue can dull your sense of taste. Brushing the tongue helps keep your taste buds clear and functioning properly.
Reduced risk of oral infections: Removing plaque and bacteria from the tongue reduces the overall bacterial load in the mouth, lowering the risk of dental infections and gum disease.
Enhanced oral hygiene: Tongue brushing is an important complement to regular tooth brushing and flossing. It helps ensure a more complete and thorough cleaning of the entire oral cavity.
Removal of discoloration: Tongue brushing can help lift surface stains and discoloration that may build up on the tongue over time.
Healthier mouth: A cleaner tongue promotes better overall oral health by reducing the spread of harmful bacteria throughout the mouth.
Improved tongue appearance: Brushing the tongue can make it appear pinker, cleaner, and healthier looking.

Why should you brush your tongue?

The primary concern of an overgrowth of microbes on the tongue is the resulting odor or foul breath, also called halitosis. Brushing your tongue will assist in controlling or eliminating bad breath. Furthermore, tongue brushing can also help reduce the total number of potentially destructive bacteria in the mouth, which will be a net benefit overall.

Over time, many people’s tongues acquire an unseemly white or colored coating consisting of plaque and food debris. By brushing your tongue, the natural pink color will return, which indicates a healthy tongue.

Did you know that some 50-90% of bad breath (halitosis) can be traced back to the tongue?

Oral Microbiome: Key facts about the microbial flora found in the mouth

The human mouth is home to a diverse and complex microbial ecosystem known as the oral microbiome or oral microflora. Here are some key facts about the microbial flora found in the mouth:

Composition: The oral microbiome consists of over 700 different species of bacteria, as well as fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The most common bacterial genera found in the mouth include Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Actinomyces, Prevotella, and Veillonell.
Diversity: The oral microbiome is one of the most diverse microbiomes in the human body. Different areas of the mouth, such as the tongue, cheeks, gums, and teeth, harbor distinct microbial communities.
Functions: The oral microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by preventing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, supporting the immune system, and aiding in digestion. It also helps in the development and maturation of the immune system.
Imbalance and oral diseases: An imbalance or dysbiosis in the oral microbiome can lead to the development of various oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral candidiasis. Factors like poor oral hygiene, diet, smoking, and certain medications can disrupt the delicate balance of the oral microbiome.
Interactions with the body: The oral microbiome is closely linked to the gut microbiome, and imbalances in one can affect the other. Research suggests that the oral microbiome may also influence overall health, including the risk of systemic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The best tongue cleaners – best tongue scraper

Orabrush Tongue Cleaner

This is one of the most popular and well-known tongue scrapers. It features a flexible dual-sided scraper design and is made of soft, gentle materials to avoid irritation.

Dr. Tung’s Tongue Cleaner

This is a stainless steel tongue scraper with a curved design. It effectively removes bacteria and built-up debris and is reusable and easy to clean.

GUM Tongue Cleaner

This is a gentle yet effective plastic tongue scraper. It features a long, flexible handle for reaching the back of the tongue.

Oral-B Tongue Cleaner

Part of the Oral-B line of dental hygiene products. It is designed with soft, rounded edges to clean the tongue gently. Comes in a two-pack for replacement.

How long should you brush your tongue?

Dental experts generally recommend brushing your tongue for 10-20 seconds as part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Here are some more details on how long to brush your tongue:

10-15 seconds: This is the minimum amount of time needed to effectively remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. Brushing for at least 10 seconds helps ensure you cover the entire tongue.
15-20 seconds: Brushing for 15-20 seconds is considered the optimal time frame. This allows you to clean the tongue from the back to the front thoroughly.
Up to 30 seconds: Some dental professionals suggest brushing the tongue for up to 30 seconds for the most thorough cleaning. However, anything longer than 20-30 seconds may become uncomfortable.
Gentle, consistent strokes: The key is to use gentle, smooth strokes from the back to the front of the tongue. Avoid scrubbing too hard, which can irritate the tongue.
Repeat as needed: If your tongue still feels coated after the initial 15-20 seconds, you can repeat the brushing motion 1-2 more times.

The most important thing is to make tongue brushing a consistent part of your daily oral hygiene routine, along with regular tooth brushing and flossing. Doing this for 10-20 seconds each time can significantly improve your oral health and freshen your breath.

How effective is an electric toothbrush in cleaning the tongue and gums?

Oral-B Genius X - Best Electric Toothbrush 2023 - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord, CA

The effectiveness of an electric toothbrush in cleaning the tongue and gums depends on the specific model and its features. Many modern electric toothbrushes come with additional features and attachments that can help clean the tongue and gums more effectively.

Tongue cleaning

There are several electric toothbrushes that have a tongue-cleaning mode or a dedicated tongue-cleaner attachment.
These features are designed to gently scrape and remove bacteria and debris from the tongue’s surface.
However, a manual tongue scraper or brushing your tongue with a regular toothbrush can also be effective in maintaining tongue hygiene.

Gum cleaning

Electric toothbrushes can be effective in cleaning along the gum line, as they often have smaller brush heads and can reach hard-to-access areas more easily than manual toothbrushes.
Some models have pressure sensors that alert you if you’re brushing too hard, helping to prevent gum damage.
Certain electric toothbrushes offer specific gum care modes that gently massage and stimulate the gums.

Proper technique is important

Use a soft-bristled brush head to avoid damaging your gums.
Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line.
Use gentle pressure and avoid scrubbing too hard.
Brush for at least two minutes, spending equal time in each quadrant of your mouth.

While electric toothbrushes can be helpful tools in maintaining oral hygiene, they are not necessarily better than manual toothbrushes when used with proper technique. It is important to maintain consistency, proper brushing methods, and regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings.

How far back should you brush your tongue?

When brushing your tongue, you should aim to reach as far back as is comfortable and practical. Here are some general guidelines on how far back you should brush your tongue:

Avoid the gag reflex: The key is to avoid triggering your gag reflex, which can occur if you push the tongue scrapper or brush too far back. I recommend gently brushing as far back as you can without feeling like you’re going to gag.
Target the posterior tongue: The back third of the tongue is known as the posterior tongue. This is where a lot of bacteria and odor-causing compounds can accumulate. Brushing this area is important for removing plaque and will assist in freshening your breath.
Reach the tonsil area: For optimal tongue cleaning, you want to reach as close to the tonsils as possible without triggering the gag reflex. This helps remove bacteria and debris from the very back of the tongue.
Start slow: If you’re new to tongue brushing, start by only reaching the front and middle portions of your tongue. Over time, gradually work your way further back.
Use the right tool: Tongue scrapers and brushes with longer, flexible handles can help you reach further back without difficulty. I have made several recommendations which you can find and read about in a few sections above.

Should you brush your gums?

Your gums are the connective tissues that help hold your teeth firmly in place, provide them with nourishing nutrients, and protect their roots from infection. As a result, when the gums are compromised, so is the entire health of your mouth.

Gently brushing your gums while you brush your teeth will go a long way toward promoting overall gum health — provided that you brush lightly.

The benefits of brushing your gums include the reduction and removal of plaque and food debris from the gumline. One of the primary causes of gingivitis, periodontitis, and gum recession is a buildup of harmful bacteria on the gumline and subsequent infiltration below the gumline.

Carefully and gently brushing along the gumline will help control bacteria and prevent infiltration. Furthermore, gentle brushing will have a stimulatory, massage-like effect on the gums, enhancing blood flow, relieving stress, and mitigating tissue pain.

Benefits of brushing your gums

The following are some of the benefits of brushing your gums:

Gum health: Brushing helps remove plaque and bacteria from the gum line, reducing the risk of gingivitis (gum inflammation) and other gum diseases.
Prevents gum recession: Consistent gum brushing can help prevent the gums from receding, which exposes more of the tooth structure and can lead to sensitivity and other problems.
Fresh breath: Brushing the gums helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria and food particles that can contribute to bad breath.
Removes stains: Gentle brushing of the gums can help lift surface stains and discoloration.
Stimulates circulation: Brushing the gums increases blood flow, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to keep the gum tissue healthy.
Plaque removal: Brushing along the gum line helps dislodge and remove plaque buildup, which is a leading cause of gum disease.
Prevents tooth loss: By maintaining healthy gums, brushing helps preserve the integrity of the teeth and their supporting structures, reducing the risk of tooth loss.
Enhances oral hygiene: Gum brushing is an essential complement to regular tooth brushing and flossing for comprehensive oral cleanliness.

Brushing the gums gently but thoroughly, especially at the gum line, should be part of everyone’s daily dental hygiene routine. This helps keep the gums strong, pink, and free of inflammation.

When it comes to your gums — be careful, be gentle

The gums, while resilient, are no match for the abrasive power of hard scrubbing. Instead, I recommend that you brush gently with a soft toothbrush head. You can see the toothbrushes I suggest here.

I also recommend rinsing off any toothpaste, which can also be abrasive, beforehand. If these two recommendations are not heeded, brushing your gums can result in severe gum damage.

When brushing your tongue, avoid the temptation to overbrush or scrape. The goal is to control harmful bacteria, not eliminate all bacteria. There is no additional benefit whatsoever for spending extra time brushing the tongue. Instead, brush your tongue for about 10 to 15 seconds and move on. Furthermore, scraping too hard or too often can damage your taste buds.

Brushing your tongue and gums

The beneficial effects of both cleaning your gums and brushing your tongue cannot be realized without also brushing your teeth. It would be safe to say that brushing just the gums and tongue will result in no net oral health benefit without gently scrubbing off the bacteria on your teeth as well. Research shows, that while brushing the soft tissues reduced the amount of microbial flora in the mouth, the results showed no significant positive effect on the amount of plaque in the mouth over time. Studies show that cleaning the tongue alone resulted in a net increase in the amount of cavity-causing strains of bacteria.