Tag Archives: how to avoid cavities

Close-up of man brushing his tongue - should you be brushing your tongue?

Are You Supposed to be Brushing Your Tongue at Home?

Dental Care at Home, , , , , ,

When we think of dental hygiene, we often just think of brushing, flossing, and using the occasional mouthwash. However, did you know that scraping or brushing your tongue is just as important for having a healthy mouth? Here’s why you should add brushing your tongue to your daily routine and some effective ways of doing so. If you are looking for a dentist in downtown Los Angeles, look no further! Samaritan Dental is here for your general and cosmetic dentistry needs.

Why Brush Your Tongue?

Have you ever taken the time to feel your tongue? If you have, you’ve probably noticed that it’s full of tiny little bumps and troughs. Like your teeth, these troughs are a perfect spot for bacteria to collect. When bacteria collects here in these troughs, they end up being transferred to your teeth just by basic movement from eating or talking.

The result of this bacteria can be cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath. In fact, not brushing your tongue is one of the main causes of bad breath in the dental hygiene world. By brushing or scraping your tongue, you rid yourself of this bacteria and the potential of harming your teeth and overall dental hygiene.

Benefits of Brushing Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush or scraping it with a proper tongue-scraping tool can improve your dental hygiene in a number of ways:

  • Sense of Taste. Scraping your tongue twice a day can actually improve your sense of taste. All that build-up of bacteria prevents your taste-buds from being able to distinguish between flavors. Making sure that bacteria gets cleared away leaves room for flavor to affect your buds effectively!
  • Gets Rid of Bad Breath. Brushing your tongue wipes away all that bacteria that’s building up in your mouth and causing bad breath. This can also improve your social skills, as most people try to avoid talking to those with bad breath.
  • Improves Tooth Decay. The bacteria on your tongue also causes tooth decay. This is because it’s easily transferable from tongue to the tooth when talking or eating. If you’ve got a cavity problem, scraping your tongue may just be the thing you need!
  • Appearance.  Another benefit of brushing your tongue is that it improves its appearance. When we have a build-up of bacteria on our tongue, it can make it appear white. This is quite alarming for some. Brushing your tongue will help restore your tongue to its rightful, natural color.

How To Brush Your Tongue

There are many ways to clean your tongue, but few that are most effective. Perhaps the most effective way is by using a special tongue scraper or the back of a toothbrush that already has a built-in exfoliating pad. With either tool, you’ll want to stick your tongue out of your mouth first and start at the back. If this causes you to gag, you may want to start in the middle of your tongue until you get used to the sensation.

Never, ever use the scraper from the tip of your tongue to the back. This only pushes the bacteria further into your mouth. After every scrape, you’ll want to wipe off any coating or debris on a cloth or rinse it off in the sink before proceeding. If you skip this step, you risk just putting the bacteria right back in your mouth. After you’ve scraped your whole tongue, wash the scraper with warm water and soap.

Brushing your tongue is an important part of your dental hygiene. To find out more about how you can improve your oral hygiene at home or set up a routine dental check-up, please visit Samaritan Dental or give us a call at 213-986-2933.

Closeup on young woman's teeth while she is flossing

How to Avoid Cavities

Preventive Dentistry

Floss-daily-for-healthy-teeth-and-gums

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 92% of adults have some form of tooth decay. Tooth decay is the leading cause of cavities. Cavities are often times one of people’s greatest fears, and for good reason. Sitting down in the dentist’s chair after a checkup and hearing them utter that dreaded word is often times enough to make you regret that late night snack you indulged the night before. Once this hits home, your mind goes straight to all of the time that will need to be spent in the dentist’s chair treating your cavity problem. Did you know there are a few tips that can prevent this situation from happening in the first place, by teaching you how to avoid cavities? These plaque-fighting tips will keep your teeth as healthy and clean as they need to be.

Regular Brushing & Flossing

The number one tip across the board is to brush and floss every day. A thorough brushing twice a day can circumvent all of the less favorable choices you’ve made throughout the day. Some may even want to go the extra mile and brush their teeth after every meal. Flossing should be done at least once a day to ensure a healthy set of teeth and gums. Toothpaste or mouthwash containing fluoride is another preferred choice of dental weaponry to fight off cavities and keep your smile strong.

Avoid the Bad Foods

Some of the most harmful, cavity-inducing substances are most people’s favorite foods and treats. Snacks like candy and other sweets top the list with their sticky attributes. Most sugary delights will linger in the mouth and stick around long after the treat is finished. Soft foods like bread can stick around your mouth until it’s time to brush your teeth. Drinking soda or juice is like sending a sugary wave to coat your teeth as it slowly wears down your tooth enamel.

Cavity Friendly Treats

If you are asking yourself how to avoid cavities but still enjoy a treat every now and then, you’re in luck. Believe it or not, there are certain foods that can help prevent cavities. Cheese has been found to revitalize the protein and calcium levels in teeth as it breaks down and is infused with the saliva. Sugar-free gum contains Xylitol, a natural sweetener, that helps fight bacteria and can reduce tooth decay. Fruits and vegetables high in fiber can cause the mouth to produce saliva that will give your teeth a proper cleaning. Seafood is another great option that is not only high in protein, but contains fluoride which can reduce your risk of tooth decay. Nuts are high in fiber and require extensive chewing which produces excess saliva that is able clean your teeth of any unwanted cavity producing foods.

Preventative Dentistry

Keeping your mouth healthy is key. Preventive dentistry is as simple as going to regular dentist appointments. A visit to your dentist will keep cavities at bay, reduce enamel wear, prevent gum disease and other dental health problems. Taking care of your oral health can help prevent future problems. Dentists are able to use x-rays to produce high resolution imaging that is able to discover dental problems that may have been previously hidden for months. Dentists are able to recommend and treat with sealants that will protect your teeth from tooth decay and cavities. Routine cleanings will also blast through any pesky plaque and stains to keep your smile bright throughout the year.

 

Book your next dental appointment with Dr. Zabolian to make sure your mouth is cavity-free.