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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is brushing your tongue good for you?

    Related Topic
    Oral Health
    Is it beneficial to brush your tongue after brushing your teeth?
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  • 9

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    Dr Arnold Baume

    Dentist

    Brushing your tongue is good for you . Halitosis or bad breath has an element of cause from bacteria on your tongue . Brush your tongue with a toothbrush or special tongue brushes (there are a few different  shaped tongue brushes some better then others..ask your chemist ) .
     If you are using a mouthwash in your oral hygeine regime as I recommend . First ,brush your teeth and tongue . This will make your mouthwash  much more effective when used after.
     In summary brush the top and underside of your tongue for  one minute . As gagging reflex permits.
    Brushing your tongue  probably eliminates a lot of excess  bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to general health problems (but this is rare). Yes you should also use toothpaste.
    Brush your tongue once or twice a day .

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  • 6

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    Dr Keith Hengpoonthana

    Dentist

    Principal dentist of Newington Dental Care. Previous teaching staff for the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney. Special interest in dental anxiety management and orthodontics. … View Profile

    Dr. Baume is right, you must clean your tongue ! Even more effective is a tongue scraper, you can purchase this from your local pharmacy. It has a handle and soft plastic scraping edge (it doesn't hurt if used correctly), place it as far back on the top surface of the tongue as you can (without causing you to gag), press firmly and scrape forward. You really should see what this is able to get off your tongue, urghhhh……..

    Have fun. Take care :)

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  • 4

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    Dr Barbara Szylkarski

    Dentist

    Dr Barbara Szylkarski has 18 years experience in private practice dentistry for adults and children. She has also worked alongside one of brisbanes renowned prosthodontists, … View Profile

    Absolutely.  The top of the tongue is thought to be the location of the bacterial population that cause bad breadth.  These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide gas, otherwise known as “rotten egg gas” because of its very bad smell. 

    Brushing the tongue particularly first thing in the morning after brushing will help to decrease the population of bacteria producing this gas.

    There are many tongue cleaners on the market, but a good old toothbrush is often sufficient.

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  • 2

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    Dr Kevin Jaffar

    Dentist

    Jaffar Dental - Trusted and Established since 1997. We are a family owned General Dental Practice offering a friendly and caring environment in Waterford QLD. … View Profile

    Yes, especially for smokers.

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  • 4

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    Dr Jeremy Rourke

    Dentist

    Brushing away a  coating that develops on your tongue can help to give you a fresh breath, but if your tongue is sore or has deep fissures it may be best to avoid brushing the tongue. If you brush your tongue make sure you do it gently.

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