Brushing and flossing are essential oral hygiene basics that help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. While many parents focus on teaching their children to pay careful attention to their teeth and gums, they often neglect the tongue. In reality, keeping the tongue clean is vital because it is an integral part of your child's oral health. This article aims to show the importance of the tongue and how to incorporate it into your child's oral hygiene basics.
The textured surface of the tongue allows it to collect and hold onto bacteria and small particles. Over time, these substances accumulate, forming a multilayered biofilm on the tongue. Water alone is insufficient to penetrate the biofilm and sweep away the bacteria within it.
Bacteria builds up almost immediately after consuming foods and beverages. While good bacteria exist, the type that builds on the tongue can reach other areas in the mouth and cause irreversible damage. Children can develop dental caries, oral infections, gum disease, and other illnesses and diseases. Daily cleanings can eliminate these risks.
Buildup on the tongue consists of more than just bacteria. Dead skin cells and food remnants can also collect here. This combination can cause bad breath, especially in the mornings. Scraping the tongue clean is one of the most effective ways to address bad breath.
Many find that thoroughly cleaning their tongues improves their mouths' smell, taste, and feel. Removing buildup from inside the mouth keeps the tongue smooth and fresh, resulting in a more pleasant feel overall. It can also help remove any repulsive flavors that result from old food particles or bacteria.
In today's times, multiple tools are available that cater to children, including tongue scrapers and electric toothbrushes with multiple settings. However, just as with other oral hygiene basics, it is necessary to use proper tools and a gentle hand; otherwise, children can easily damage the soft skin. Therefore, a pediatric dentist will teach parents how to clean their children's tongues until they come to an age where they can understand and perform the process safely on their own.it.
Some kids find it easy to clean their tongues with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Adding this step to the end of every toothbrushing session can help control the buildup. Even so, using a tongue scraper is usually more effective since it can cover the entire surface and remove the film in a single, sweeping motion.
While rinsing alone is not enough to remove the bacteria trapped against the tongue's surface, it can help sweep away newly loosened residue. Be sure to rinse thoroughly after brushing or tongue scraping. A pediatric dentist-approved mouthwash after these steps can also help ensure thorough cleaning by killing harmful bacteria that brushing or scraping may still leave behind.
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Along with other oral hygiene basics, cleaning the tongue regularly can help protect kids' teeth, gums, and the rest of their bodies. If you want to learn more about improving your child's oral health or need to schedule their next appointment, call us today.
Request an appointment or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at 845-363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
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