It is very important to brush your teeth at least twice a day to ensure continuity of oral hygiene. The process of using a toothbrush allows us to largely eliminate bacteria and food residues stuck to the tooth surface. However, just using a toothbrush is not enough to maintain oral health and prevent bad breath.
Bad odor occurs from evaporated sulfur created by bacteria on the back of the tongue, where the toothbrush cannot reach. The tongue is an organ that allows us to taste. Small protrusions on the tongue, called papillae in medical terms, allow us to sense taste. Because of these small protrusions, we can compare the tongue back to the carpets in our homes. Most of the bacteria that cause bad breath accumulate deep under the surface of the tongue (between the ridges), just like in carpets. These bacteria can only be removed from the tongue surface by mechanical cleaning. It is necessary to brush the tongue surface for mechanical cleaning.
Tongue brushing can be done with a normal toothbrush. However, the most effective method for cleaning bacteria on the tongue is to use a tongue brush. Today, some companies have developed special brushes that can be used for both tongue and teeth. There are also special apparatus that can be used only for brushing the tongue.
Daily used mouthwashes help eliminate bad odors thanks to their fresh scent and the chemicals they contain. However, their effects are limited. If the bacteria on the tongue are not cleaned, they will continue to emit sulfur and the bad smell will start again after a while. Therefore, we should take care to brush our tongue while brushing our teeth after every meal. In this way, we can have a healthy smile and a fresh breath.
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