The rough surface of the tongue easily holds food and bacteria, one source of bad breath. Cleaning the tongue gently each day is worthwhile, but it must be done properly.
- The rough surface of the tongue easily holds food and bacteria, which contributes to bad breath.
- Cleaning the tongue gently once a day, from back to front, helps reduce the coating.
- Do not scrape too hard, do not reach too far back and do not share the tool.
- A thick white tongue, lasting burning or an ulcer that does not heal in two weeks needs an examination.
Many people brush very carefully, yet their breath still smells. One cause that is often overlooked is the coating on the tongue. The tongue surface has a great many tiny bumps, so food, dead cells and bacteria easily settle there, especially toward the back of the tongue.
Is tongue scraping necessary?
Cleaning the tongue daily reduces the coating and helps lessen bad breath, particularly in people who often have a thick coating. However, it is only an addition. If bad breath comes from decay, gum inflammation or tartar, those causes must be treated. See bad breath, causes and how to handle it.
How to clean the tongue properly
- Use a soft, smooth tongue scraper or a brush with a tongue cleaning surface, along with a soft toothbrush.
- Stick out your tongue, place the tool in the middle of the tongue and pull gently from back to front.
- Rinse the tool after each stroke and repeat about three to five times.
- Do it once a day, usually in the morning before or after brushing.
- Rinse with clean water afterwards.
Important precautions
- Do not scrape too hard, since it can scratch the tongue, cause pain and bleeding.
- Do not reach too far back to avoid gagging.
- Never share a tongue scraper.
- If there are sores, burning or bleeding on the tongue, stop scraping for now.
When does an unusual tongue need a check?
See a dentist if a thick white coating does not go away, burning pain lasts, there is an ulcer that does not heal within two weeks or the colour is unusual. Read a sore or white coated tongue, what it means and how to brush correctly every day.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
If bad breath continues even after your teeth and tongue are clean, have a check to find the cause. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first.
Frequently asked questions
Is scraping the tongue every day harmful?
Done gently once a day it is usually safe. Scraping too hard can scratch the tongue and cause bleeding.
Will scraping the tongue cure bad breath?
It can reduce it if the smell comes from the coating on the tongue. If it comes from decay, gum inflammation or tartar, those causes need treatment.
Is a white coated tongue a disease?
Often it is just coating. If a thick white tongue lasts, burns or has ulcers, it should be examined by a dentist.