Our tongues are made up of tons of tiny bumps called papillae, which create peaks and valleys and give bacteria the perfect place to hide. If these bacteria aren’t removed, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
What happens if you don’t brush your tongue?
Bad Breath – One of the most common side effects of not brushing your tongue is bad breath. While bad breath can be caused by a lot of different things, an unclean tongue can be to blame.
Oral Thrush – This occurs when the range of bacteria in your mouth exceeds normal levels and naturally occurring yeast grows out of control.
Decreased Sense of Taste – When a tongue is not properly cared for, bacteria can coat your taste buds and decrease your sense of taste. Your favorite foods won’t have the same delicious flavor they used to.
Gum Disease – When tongue bacteria moves to the teeth, it can cause decay and, if left untreated, can progress into gum disease.
Periodontal Disease – Because bacteria buildup on your tongue can spread to your teeth and gums, it increases the likelihood of gingivitis. If left untreated, the inflammation can advance to periodontal disease, which occurs when the gums pull away from the teeth and the space in between becomes infected.
How Do You Clean Your Tongue?
First off, let’s talk about how often you should brush your tongue: every time you brush your teeth. A gentle brushing from the back of the tongue to the front and from side-to-side will do just fine—you don’t need to, and shouldn’t, brush hard. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, try using a tongue scraper instead of a toothbrush.
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