Dr. Karl Smith received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and immediately entered General Practice in the US Air Force Dental Corps. He successfully completed three additional years of advanced education in the specialty of Periodontics. Additional training in IV Sedation and Dental Implants was completed by Dr. Smith at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center.
He won the John Pritchard Prize for outstanding research which included looking for a vaccine against bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Dr. Smith ambitiously completed a Master of Business Administration degree with a Certificate in Health Services Management while working full time as a Periodontist.
Dr. Smith is originally from Michigan, but because he grew up in an Air Force family, he lived in many different parts of the United States and also spent many years in Canada, Japan and Italy. Dr. Smith settled in Alexandria, VA after he retired from the US Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel having completed four years of reserve and fifteen years of meritorious world-wide active duty service in 1996.
He worked in a variety of multi-specialty group practices throughout Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia before opening of his own office in the City of Alexandria, Virginia in January of 2003. After opening his Northern Virginia office, Dr. Karl Smith missed working with patients and dentists in Southern Maryland and decided to open a second office in Waldorf, MD in the spring of 2005. Both offices are well known for their friendly and well-trained dental professionals and modern equipment and facilities.
To learn the most current and advanced treatment options for his patients, Dr. Smith completes 100+ hours of continuing education and training each year. This allows him to provide the ultimate care and comfort for all types of challenging dental problems. He also allows his team to excel by providing them with many hours of advanced education and training.
In his free time Dr. Smith enjoys traveling nationally and internationally. He is an expert skier and enjoys playing other sports including tennis. Family time with his five children and many grandchildren is very important to him. He follows a number of sports teams including his college team UCLA, as well as the local professional teams the Washington Capitals, Nationals and Redskins. When he was in college, Dr. Smith thought he should be a Dentist, Psychologist, or Meteorologist. He is always happy to predict the weather! Just ask!
Dr. Smith’s team describes him as a dentist with superpowers! They know that when he speaks with his patients, he does so with a great deal of care and concern, and because he has a genuine desire to improve their lives and smiles!
Dr. Smith’s colleagues and patients describe him as a gentle, easy-going person, and people travel from many states and countries to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff.
Pediatric dental care is important, and children’s teeth require special attention. Establishing healthy dental habits is especially important as children grow. Purchasing the right toothpaste can substantially impact your child’s overall oral health. With so many brands out on the market, finding the right one can be overwhelming!
So how do you choose? This guide identifies a few things to look out for when choosing toothpaste for your child. By following these steps, you will help prevent cavities and tooth decay, ensuring your child’s smile stays strong and bright.
The Gold Standard:
The American Dental Association (ADA) utilizes strict testing methods to evaluate dental and oral care products. Buying a product with the ADA’s seal of approval ensures that you are receiving a product that works.
Full of Fluoride:
Fluoride is critical for dental health. The ADA recommends using a toothpaste with fluoride to prevent cavities and tooth decay. However, it is important to monitor children using fluoride toothpaste. Consuming too much fluoride can cause a health condition called fluorosis.
Full of Flavor:
Many children dislike mint flavors and find them to be too “spicy.” Buying a product in tasty flavors, such as bubblegum and strawberry, helps make brushing more enjoyable for children. The ultimate goal is to get children to brush their teeth twice a day. Tasty flavors entice children to brush their teeth more often and for more time.
Don’t Be Abrasive:
Abrasive brushing techniques are popular because they help whiten teeth.
Although abrasives eliminate stains and debris from the teeth, they also eliminate enamel. The primary function of enamel is to protect teeth from decay. It covers each tooth and shields the inner layers of teeth from extreme temperatures, plaque, and acids. However, once enamel is destroyed, it can’t be replaced.
Dentists recommend avoiding dental products that contain ingredients such as:
As adults, we tend to cover the entire toothbrush with paste. However, children don’t need a lot of paste because they have small teeth. Dentists state that a pea-sized amount is enough to properly clean your children’s teeth.
Use the Right Toothbrush:
Toothbrushes for children should be small, with soft, round, nylon bristles. Medium and hard bristles are abrasive and can damage tooth enamel. Soft bristles provide a deep clean to the teeth and gums without damaging the gums or enamel. Additionally, avoid using too much pressure, as this may cause receding gumlines.
Use Proper Brushing Techniques:
Brush your child’s teeth in sections using a circular motion. The outside of the teeth, inside of the teeth, cheeks and gums should be cleaned. Pay particular attention to brushing the tongue. This removes bacteria and freshens your child’s breath. Don’t forget to replace toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months!
You can start to floss once two teeth touch. This typically occurs between the ages of two and six. Flossing early helps children get into the habit of doing it daily. If bleeding occurs, don’t be alarmed! Bleeding is common when starting a flossing routine. This should decrease as the gums become healthier. However, if bleeding is persistent, you should consult a pediatric dentist.
Watch the Clock:
To avoid tooth decay, children should brush their teeth twice per day for two minutes. Brushing less frequently increases the chance that your child will develop cavities or tooth decay. Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. Over 16 million children suffer from tooth decay every year.
Start Early:
You do not have to wait for your child’s teeth to come in to practice good dental habits. You can use a damp cloth to clean a toddler’s gums by gently wiping away residual food. This helps instill good dental habits early on in your children’s lives.
You can start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they emerge. At 12 months, a soft children’s toothbrush and water can be used to clean the teeth. Dentists recommend introducing toothpaste at 18 months.
Oral hygiene is important for maintaining healthy gums and teeth throughout your kid’s life. Starting proper brushing techniques at a young age helps solidify the importance of dental care in children. Good dental habits are critical in preventing cavities and infant tooth decay. By following this guide, you will be ready to choose the best dental products for your kid.
Bad brushing techniques include not brushing your teeth long enough. The majority of dental professionals recommend brushing for at least 2 mins. The second mistake most people make is selecting the wrong size toothbrush for their mouths.
A clean toothbrush goes a long way to ensuring dental hygiene. Most dental professionals recommend purchasing an ultra-soft bristled brush for optimal removal of plaque and food particles. Small headed toothbrushes are preferable to larger toothbrush heads for reaching those hard to reach places. Deciding what is the best size depends on you entirely.
Electric toothbrushes made by manufacturers like Oral-B and Phillips are purported to deliver better cleaning than manual brushing. A professional powerbrush works by precision cleaning each tooth. A manual toothbrush doesn’t have a vibrating head that pulsates to remove plaque from teeth. The head of an electric toothbrush eliminates additional particles by oscillating and rotating plaque away from the tooth. The more oscillations and pulsations per cycle, the more pricier the electric toothbrush.
Investing in a good quality toothbrush is like having a dentist in your bathroom available any time of the day. Electric toothbrushes are available in battery or rechargeable versions. The New Oral-B Bluetooth electric toothbrush communicates with a smartphone app. As a patient you have the option of having your dentist program your toothbrush to deliver the best teeth cleaning experience specifically for you.
Not flossing:
Flossing should be incorporated into your daily dental care routine. Your toothbrush can’t clean 100 percent of your mouth effectively. Flossing prevents excess plaque from turning into gingivitis a form of gum disease. If you are unsure about how to properly floss consult your dental care professional for assistance.
Flossing may be uncomfortable for the newbie but don’t quit, ask your dental professional for a proper demonstration if you are unsure about your technique.
Brushing too hard:
Brushing your teeth hard can be detrimental to the enamel on your teeth. Eroding the top layer of your teeth leaves them vulnerable to cavities and tooth erosion. The enamel protects the dentin underneath. Dentin connects to the the tooth’s nerve center and this is where sensitive teeth syndrome comes into play. People with sensitive teeth experience nerve irritation that may be exacerbated by brushing too hard.
For the techies the New Oral-B Bluetooth toothbrush communicates with an app on your smartphone telling you if you’re brushing too hard.
Incorrect brushing technique:
Most people learned to brush their teeth during early childhood, but are you brushing them correctly? The default brushing motion most people employ is the horizontal side to side technique. Trying to break a bad habit that has been deeply inculcated from childhood is no simple feat. Brushing from side to side has been found to erode the enamel 2 to 3 times faster than the up and down correct motion. The best method of brushing the teeth is a gentle circular motion. The circular method is extremely effective in combating gum disease like gingival recession. Gentle brushing of the gum tissue is also recommended for the maintenance of healthy gums.
Not brushing your tongue:
The majority of bad breath and halitosis cases have been linked to the residue left on the tongue. A combination of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are the prime culprits of halitosis. Tongue cleaning and tongue scraping play a major role in oral hygiene and halitosis prevention.
People that wake up in the morning with that white film on the tongue will benefit immediately from the purchase of a tongue scraper. If you don’t want to invest in a tongue scraper than simply using your toothbrush is equally effective. You can clean your tongue before or after you brush your teeth. Here are some simple cleaning instructions:
Rinse your toothbrush or tongue cleaner before cleaning. You can apply a dab of Arm & Hammer baking soda to the tongue prior to cleaning.
Begin cleaning the back of your tongue and work forward.
Brush or scrape the entire surface of your tongue and the sides.
Continue to clean until the white residue on the tongue is removed.
Rinse your mouth after brushing or scraping your tongue.
After you have finished brushing or scraping, your tongue should have a healthy pink appearance.
The wrong toothpaste:
Toothpastes are made from pastes, gels and powders. The purpose of toothpaste is to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gum tissue. The double circular motion combined with the right toothpaste is effective in preventing gum disease and tooth decay. Fluoride is a common ingredient added to many toothpaste brands.
Flavouring agents do not contribute to tooth decay
Thickeners or binders stabilize the toothpaste formula
The average consumer walking down the aisle of a grocery store gets inundated by dozens of different brands. Patients who have regular dental checkups may not require specialty toothpaste brands. Oral-B is one such company who manufactures the Oral-B Pro-Expert toothpaste that was made to address the above dental issues.
Sensitivity, Gum issues, Chronic bad breath or halitosis, Stains, Tartar, Plaque, Cavities, Gingivitis.
Not replacing your toothbrush on a regular basis:
The American Dental Association (ADA) advocates replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. People who own electric toothbrushes should also replace their toothbrush heads on a regular basis. For the absent minded Oral-B brushes contain a blue indicator that fades when its necessary to replace.
Just remember washing the head of your toothbrush is not enough, the bristles contain bacteria from the mouth that contribute to gum disease. A clean brush is optimum for oral health.
So there you have it 7 simple and effective methods to overcome bad brushing habits. It only takes a few minutes per day and a couple of visits per year to a dentist to avoid periodontal disease.
Sensitive teeth (dentinal hypersensitivity) can occur when gums pull away from your teeth at the gumline exposing the dentin layer of your tooth. Dentin is the softer tooth layer that lies beneath the hard enamel surface. Below the gumline dentin is not protected by the enamel that covers the part of the tooth you can see in your mouth.
Once dentin is exposed, the microscopic pores called tubules that lead to the tooth nerve are left unprotected. Hot, cold and sometimes sweet or acidic foods can trigger sensitivity pain.
Why are my teeth sensitive?
There are several ways that dentin can become exposed leading to tooth sensitivity.
1. Common causes of sensitive teeth resulting from dentin exposure
2. Gum recession due to gum disease
3. Overaggressive brushing or brushing with a hard bristled toothbrush
4. Too many acidic foods and beverages.
5. Teeth grinding.
6. Tooth decay or physical injury to the tooth.
7. Recent dental procedure.
Always see your dental professional for tooth pain that is severe or consistent and lasts for more than a day or two, but if you have the sharp, shooting pains commonly felt with tooth sensitivity, use products that are designed to block the tubules and relieve the pain including toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums.
What can I do to manage sensitive teeth?
With the many recent advancements in oral health technology, you might not have to accept sensitive teeth as a fact of life. There are a number of options for treatment of sensitive teeth:
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to prevent gum disease.
Be sure to clean all parts of your mouth, including between teeth and along the gumline
Brush gently and use a soft bristled electric toothbrush. This will help prevent overaggressive brushing and protect your enamel from being worn away
Avoid acidic foods and drinks
Use a toothpaste designed to help protect your teeth against sensitivity
While there are many effective over-the-counter methods of treatment for sensitive teeth, it’s always a good idea to consult with your dental professional if you experience ongoing sensitivity as it could be a sign of more serious problems.
Baking soda or sodium bi-carbonate is a common fixture in every kitchen across the world. Majorly used for baking, cooking and cleaning purposes, the baking soda is also used as a popular alternative for brushing your teeth. So much so that multiple toothpaste companies have started including baking soda as one of the components in their toothpastes. Baking soda works as an excellent agent against plaque formation by tea, coffee, tobacco thereby lending you those shiny pearly whites.
But is it really all pros and no cons?
When baking soda comes in contact with water it forms an alkaline solution, which releases free radicals that facilitate teeth whitening. There are other benefits of brushing teeth with baking soda apart from just a brighter smile. By attacking the plaque formation its prevents dental decay, cavity formation and gum diseases to a very large extent. It also fights bad breath by balancing the acidic levels of residual food. Further, it also helps in treating painful mouth ulcers. The alkaline combination of baking soda and water neutralizes the acidic nature of the ulcer, and allowing you to enjoy your food in peace.
However, brushing with baking soda has its own share of risks as well:
1. Not as well packaged as toothpaste: It’s messy. Brushing teeth with baking soda may be inexpensive, but it’s certainly not neat. Baking soda manufacturers have not mastered the handy packaging you find among most toothpastes.
2. Not enough to fight cavities: Experts suggest that baking soda isn’t capable in itself to fight the plaque as it lacks the ability to kill bacteria which would eventually add to the plaque formation. It also lacks the adequate amount of fluoride that is required to prevent cavities.
3. Can damage enamel: If not used in correct proportion baking soda can even end up damaging your tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.
4. Can cause damage to gums: Just as excess of it can wear off your enamel, similarly if not used consciously baking soda’s abrasive properties can cause problem for gums.
5. Not good for dental glue: Repeated usage of baking soda can soften the adhesive used to hold the braces and similar retainers, and also leave dark spots. Therefore, people using braces are advised to keep away from it. 6. It is gritty and leaves an uncomfortable after-taste: It feels gritty and does not have the best of taste.
In order to prevent the after-taste experts suggest mixing baking soda with your toothpaste, or trying it in combination with other flavours like peppermint, glycerine or strawberry.
Majority of the above problems should arise only if baking soda is not used with enough discretion. The following tips would help you get maximum benefits of brushing your teeth with baking soda.
Change your style of brushing: Majority of people start brushing with a particular side, in case of right handed people it is usually the upper-left side of your jaw-line. Baking soda is gritty and if not applied evenly with water there are chances of certain sections of your jaw receiving excess grit thereby weakening the enamel and gum tissue of the surrounding area.
Use it consciously: Scrubbing your teeth vigorously with baking soda can cause damage to the tooth. It is advisable to brush your teeth with baking soda no more than a few times in a week. And when you do use it to brush your teeth, don’t let it sit on your teeth for more than two minutes.
About 78% of us have had at least one cavity by the time we reach age 17, according to a 2000 report by the U.S. Surgeon General. Fortunately there's a time-tested treatment for cavities: the dental filling.
Fillings do just what the name implies — seal a small hole in your tooth, i.e., a cavity, caused by decay. This prevents the decay (a bacteria-induced infection) from spreading further into your tooth and, if untreated, continue on to the sensitive inner pulp (nerve) tissue located in the root canal. Should that happen, you would need root canal treatment.
There are a variety of materials used to fill teeth these days, but the process of filling a tooth is similar regardless. The first step is a clinical exam of the tooth with x-rays, to determine the extent of the decay. Then the decayed area of the tooth is removed, usually with a handheld instrument such as a dental drill. Of course, your tooth will be anesthetized first, so you won't feel any discomfort. If you normally feel nervous about receiving numbing injections, it's possible that taking an anti-anxiety medication or using nitrous oxide can help you feel more relaxed. After removing the decay, the remaining tooth structure is roughened or “etched” with a mildly acidic solution; then translucent cement is applied to bond the tooth and the filling material together.
Types of Fillings
There are two broad categories of dental fillings: metal fillings and tooth-colored fillings. Each may offer particular advantages and disadvantages in certain situations.
Metal Fillings
Amalgam — The classic “silver” filling in use for more than a century, dental amalgam is actually an alloy made up of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. The mercury combines with the other metals in the amalgam to make it stable and safe. These fillings are strong and inexpensive, but also quite noticeable. They also require relatively more tooth preparation (drilling) than other types.
Cast Gold — Among the most expensive restorative dental materials, cast gold combines gold with other metals for a very strong, long-lasting filling. It is also highly noticeable, which can be considered a plus or minus.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Composite — A popular choice for those who don't want their fillings to show, composite is a mixture of plastic and glass, which actually bonds to the rest of the tooth. Composites are more expensive than amalgam fillings, and the newer materials can hold up almost as long. Less drilling of the tooth is necessary when placing composite as compared to amalgam.
Porcelain — These high-tech dental ceramics are strong, lifelike, and don't stain as composites can. They are sometimes more expensive than composites because they may require the use of a dental laboratory or specialized computer-generated technology. While considered the most aesthetic filling, they can also, because of their relatively high glass content, be brittle.
Glass Ionomer — Made of acrylic and glass powders, these inexpensive, translucent fillings have the advantages of blending in pretty well with natural tooth color and releasing small amounts of fluoride to help prevent decay. They generally don't last as long as other restorative materials.
What to Expect After Getting a Filling
The numbness caused by your local anesthesia should wear off within a couple of hours. Until then, it's best to avoid drinking hot or cold liquids, and eating on the side of your mouth with the new filling. Some sensitivity to hot and cold is normal in the first couple of weeks after getting a tooth filled. If it persists beyond that, or you have any actual pain when biting, it could signal that an adjustment to your filling needs to be made. Continue to brush and floss as normal every day, and visit the dental office at least twice per year for your regular checkups and cleanings. And remember, tooth decay is a very preventable disease; with good oral hygiene and professional care, you can make your most recent cavity your last!
Celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques, who is known as "The King of Smiles" for his work helping celebs getting their pearly whites, said that while cold water is the most usual way to brush your teeth, you might want to try warm water if you've got sensitive teeth.
To keep your smile looking as stunning as possible, Dr Marques has shared his top tips for brushing your teeth:
1. Use an electric toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are the most thorough method of cleaning and stop you from brushing too hard because they do the movements and pressure for you!
2. Brush twice daily
Make sure you brush for two to three minutes, once in the morning and once in the evening. Any more and you can wear the teeth away, but any less the teeth and gums may suffer.
3. Perform interdental cleaning
Ensure you are cleaning between the teeth at least once a day. You can use interdental brushes or electric flossers.
4. If you're manual brushing, do it right
If you do use a manual brush, make sure that your brush using small circular motions at a 45-degree angle pointing towards the gum to ensure no areas are missed.
5. Brush with a medium hardness of pressure
It’s really important not to brush too hard because this can wear your tooth enamel away. But on the other hand, if you brush too gently you won’t remove the plaque.
6. If your gums bleed continue to brush them
They will eventually heal and change from being inflamed and bleeding to being healthy and pink.
7. Use a mouthwash after brushing
Use a non-alcoholic fluoride containing mouthwash. This is far better than rinsing with tap water which washes the toothpaste and fluoride away!
8. Rinse with coconut oil
Coconut oil is great as it removes plaque and toxins from between the teeth.
9. Use a natural whitening paste
If using a whitening toothpaste ensure it is 100% natural. I highly recommend my Super Strong Teeth Whitening Paste as it contains calcium carbonate and silica for a natural experience.
10. Visit your dentist
See your dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning because you cannot remove the scale (tartar/calculus) yourself once it hardens.
A dental implant is a long-term replacement for a missing tooth. The implant itself is a titanium screw that a dental surgeon screws into the jawbone. Over several weeks, the implant and jawbone fuse together. Once fused, the implant can support an artificial tooth or crown.
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), around 3 million people in the United States have dental implants. Dental implants are also growing in popularity. The AAID state that the number of people receiving them is increasing by around 500,000 per year.
This article outlines the potential complications and long-term issues that can arise as a result of DIS. It also provides information on implant success rates, aftercare, and recovery time.
There are a number of potential complications that can occur following DIS. The sections below will outline some of these.
Common problems: Below are some of the more common problems that may develop following DIS.
Infection: People should take good care of their dental implants to reduce the risk of infection. It is vital to follow the dental surgeon’s advice regarding aftercare.
Treatment for an infection depends on the severity and location of the infection. For example, a bacterial infection in the gum may require antibiotics or a soft tissue graft, while a bacterial infection in the bone may require removal of the infected bone tissue and possibly the implant, followed by a bone and soft tissue graft.
Gum recession: In some cases, a person may find that the gum tissue around the implant begins to recede. This can lead to inflammation and pain. Getting a prompt assessment from a dentist is essential to prevent the removal of the implant.
Loose implant: In the first few weeks following DIS, the dental implant will be growing into and fusing with the jawbone. This process is called osseointegration, and it is crucial to the long-term success of the implant. This process can take many months.
If the implant fails to fuse with the bone, the dental surgeon may remove it. A person may be able to reattempt the implant procedure once the area has healed.
Nerve or tissue damage: Sometimes, a dental surgeon may inadvertently place a dental implant too close to a nerve. This can cause long-term numbness, tingling, or pain.
A 2012 study found that DIS-induced nerve damage can lead to a decline in quality of life.
A nerve or tissue problem requires immediate attention. Injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in the lower jaw can be particularly serious. Some possible symptoms of an IAN injury include:
persistent numbness on the side of the implant, including the lower lip and chin
persistent pain or discomfort: tingling, tickling, or burning sensations in the gums and skin.
Who should have dental implants?
According to the AAID, dental implants are a good solution for people who are replacing teeth damaged by severe decay or trauma.
However, two potential problems regarding dental implants are suitability and success rate.
Success rate: Sometimes, a dental implant may fail. Healthcare professionals categorize implant failure into one of two categories: early failure (which occurs before the insertion of the implant) or late failure (which occurs after the implant has been in place for a period of time).
Dental implants have a success rate of around 95%. However, they may have a reduced success rate among people who: smoke, have diabetes, have gum disease, have had radiation therapy to the jaw area, take certain medications.
DIS is not suitable for everyone. A person will need to undergo an extensive dental examination for a surgeon to determine whether or not they are a suitable candidate for the procedure.
Dr. Steven Goldy is a native of Southern California! He graduated from Inglewood High school, completed his undergraduate studies magna cum laude at the University of California San Diego and obtained his doctorate from USC Dental School in 1982. Dr. Goldy completed a hospital based General Practice Residency at Sepulveda VA medical center.
He chose to attend a hospital-based residency after dental school to sharpen his skills. Throughout his career, he has taught at USC Dental school as an assistant clinical professor and has been on staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
After completing his formal training, Dr. Goldy spent five years in the Beverly Hills area before establishing his own practice there in 1988. Initially, his office staff consisted of only one receptionist and one dental assistant. Dr. Goldy’s staff and patient population quickly expanded, growing steadily into the large, busy office he currently maintains at 416 N. Bedford Drive, in the heart of Beverly Hills.
Dr. Goldy has always worked at the forefront of aesthetic dentistry. He completed his first case of porcelain veneers in 1985, long before they were an accepted clinical procedure among his peers. To stay on top of the latest advancements, he regularly attends continuing education courses in his field. .
Over the years, Dr. Goldy has perfected his technique and developed a keen eye for aesthetics. Many patients who were once too embarrassed to smile have experienced life-changing transformations through his extraordinary skill in aesthetic dentistry.
Dr. Goldy resides in LA’s westside. In his spare time he hangs out with his twin boys, Asher & Lucas
The tongue has the most amount of bacteria as compared to the other parts of your mouth. However, most people do not take the time to clean their tongue. Cleaning your tongue will help you avoid tooth decay, bad breath, and much more.
Why Is It Important to Clean Your Tongue Regularly?
Over time, dead cells, bacteria, and debris can build up on your tongue and cause bad breath. Keeping your tongue clean is important, as it.-
1. Improves the Appearance of Your Tongue:
When there is a build up of excess debris, your tongue might start having a white appearance. When you clean it daily, this coating can be removed.
2. Improves Your Taste:
Cleaning your tongue can improve your sense of taste. Your tongue will be able to distinguish different sensations better.
3. Removes Bacteria:
Cleaning your tongue every day reduces the mutans streptococci and lactobacilli bacteria which are known for causing dental decay and bad breath.
4. Reduces Bad Breath:
Effective tongue-scraping can remove odour-causing bacteria.
5. Improves Overall Health:
Removing bacteria can help prevent gum disease, cavities, and other conditions of the mouth.
What Do You Need to Clean Your Tongue?
There are many different types of tools to choose from to clean your tongue. The most common tool people use is tongue-scrapers. Many also use tongue brushes though they are relatively new. Tongue cleaners are tools that have small ridges and this help to pull it across your tongue. Scraper-brush combinations are also available. Using this tool, you scrape while you brush. Tongue brushing and scraping are equally effective to prevent the chances of plaque. After cleaning, you could rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
1. Cleaning Tongue Using a Brush:
After brushing properly, turn your attention to your tongue. You can simply use the bristles of the toothbrush to clean your tongue.
You could also use toothbrushes that have tongue cleaners on the lower surface.
The bacteria- and odour-build up can be removed by dabbing your toothbrush and carefully brushing the tongue on the top.
Start from cleaning the back of your tongue and work forward towards the beginning of the mouth.
Brush the top area of the tongue entirely on soft pressure and finish the process off by rinsing with some mouthwash or water.
2. Cleaning Your Tongue Using a Scraper:
After brushing, stick your tongue out. Place the rounded end of the scraper gently at the back of the tongue.
If you find gagging to be a problem, then you can start in the middle of the tongue.
Start from the back gradually as you get used to this habit.
Place the scraper gently on the tongue and slowly pull it forward in the direction to the tip of the tongue. Always go from the back to the tip and never do it the other way around.
After scraping, use a tissue or a washcloth to remove the debris collected on the scraper.
Repeat this process until the entire tongue surface is scraped. Usually, scraping once or twice in an area is sufficient.
Wash the cleaner with some soap and water, dry, and store it in a clean area.
