What Problem May You Face If You Don't Brush Your Tongue?

Most people know the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth daily. However, most don’t know that brushing your tongue is essential for excellent oral health. Your mouth houses lots of bacteria, which rest on your tongue, teeth, and other mouthparts. Therefore, if you don’t clean your teeth and tongue daily and thoroughly, your mouth is in great danger of oral infections, among other risks.

As far as your tongue is concerned, not brushing it can cause numerous problems, including:

• Bad breath

Also known as halitosis, bad breath is a standard indicator of poor oral hygiene. Not brushing your tongue causes overgrown bacteria, giving off a foul smell or stink. Besides causing great embarrassment, lousy breath can increase your risk of digestive issues such as reflux and GERD. Fortunately, the bad breath will go away once you brush your tongue and mouth.

• Dull taste buds

Failing to brush your tongue can also affect your taste for things. Debris and bacteria can build up on the tongue’s surface, leaving a biofilm over your taste buds. You won’t be able to taste things fully. You’ll be able to enjoy the authentic and exact flavors immediately after brushing your tongue.

• Periodontal disease

When there are overgrown bacteria in your tongue, they can spread to other areas such as the gums. When the gum tissues are infected, they get inflamed, causing gingivitis. If not addressed, the problem can worsen to periodontal disease, an irreversible condition, which poses severe problems to your oral and overall well-being.

• Black Hairy tongue

The condition looks bad enough to mention, let alone to experience it. A black hairy tongue looks dark and furry. The papillae in your tongue get darker and more prominent, giving your tongue a dark, fuzzy look. Brushing your tongue will eliminate the condition.

• Oral thrush

Oral thrush occurs when bacteria levels are overgrown. It appears on your tongue as white patches. Brushing alone might not eliminate the problem. Instead, talk to a dentist near you about an excellent anti-fungal medication.

Major Causes of Bad Breath?

Numerous factors, including: can cause bad breath in the mouth

• Poor dental hygiene

Poor brushing and flossing are the number one causes of bad breath. When you don’t clean your mouth, food particles get trapped in the mouth, leading to bad breath. When these particles build up, they form plaque, irritating the gums leading to gum disease. Plaque also harbors bacterial infections, increasing your risk of developing tooth decay.

• Certain foods

The breakdown of certain foods in the mouth can increase bacteria. For instance, sugary foods lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Similarly, onions, spices, and garlic can also cause bad breath.

• Tobacco products

Tobacco is harmful to your overall health and can cause teeth stains and affect your breath. People who smoke usually have a specific tobacco-based unpleasant mouth odor. Tobacco can also cause gum disease.

• Dry mouth

Enough saliva is essential to nourish and cleanse your mouth. When you’re suffering from dry mouth, also called xerostomia, you can experience bad breath because there isn’t enough saliva to remove particles that bad breath.

• Certain medications

Certain medications can have unpleasant smells, giving you bad breath. Other drugs indirectly contribute to dry mouth, causing foul odors. Similarly, some medications are broken down in the body, releasing chemicals that can get on your breath.

• Mouth infections

Oral infections are common, especially after an oral procedure such as dental implant surgery and tooth extraction. Bad breath also happens due to bacterial infections that cause gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth sores.

• Other condition

Infections or chronic inflammation in the throat, nose, or sinuses can cause postnasal drops and bad breath issues. Other diseases such as cancer and metabolic disorders also tend to produce certain chemicals, which can cause a distinctive breath odor.

Final Verdict

When you brush your tongue, be sure to brush side to side and back and forth. Also, ensure you rinse thoroughly with a lot of water. Staying hydrated can also reduce the risk of developing bad breath. For more information about bad breath/halitosis treatment, contact New Vision Dentistry to speak with our dentist in Citrus Heights.