What is an oral hygiene routine

What is an oral hygiene routine? When should I brush my teeth? Are you unsure whether or not to wash your teeth? We’ll cover all you need to know about keeping your tongue healthy and boosting your oral health.
Why ignore the tongue, according to the dental journal Oral hygiene?
For millennia, eastern and oriental cultures have performed tongue washing.
Table of Contents
What is an oral hygiene routine?
Scraping your tongue is mentioned in old records as part of the 3000-year-old Ayurvedic health system in some parts of the world where it is still practised today. The appearance of the tongue is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an indicator of overall health. It is also used as a diagnostic tool to determine the fundamental cause of a problem. It is claimed that tools for oral and tongue cleanliness have been developed from materials such as thin strips of wood, whalebone, and other metals.It is stated in a history of tongue scraping and brushing(mouth hygiene).
According to recent CDC research, 47.2 per cent of persons aged 30 and up have periodontal disease. Although tongue hygiene hasn’t received as much attention as gums and teeth, there is a growing body of evidence to assist you to decide whether tongue brushing is worth including in your regular oral hygiene practice.
How to clean your tongue?
Fluorescence spectrum imaging was utilised to analyse the organisation of roughly 20 billion microorganisms that live on the tongue, according to a recent image from Cell Rep. The goal of the report is to increase our understanding of the critical link we have with our oral microbiome, which lives in symbiotic partnership with us.
These organisms create complex communities on the tongue, as well as on the teeth and gums, forming biofilms. Biofilms provide a vital environment for bacteria, and while some of these germs are beneficial to us, others can grow out of control, resulting in thick sticky coats. The nature of the oral biofilm produces a defence to protect itself, according to the role of tooth plaque biofilm in oral health. If not removed routinely, it matures and becomes problematic, causing dental cavities, decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Tongue coating and brushing: According to a literature study, a biofilm build-up on the tongue is one of the most common causes of bad breath, commonly known as halitosis. The amount of tongue coating in people with halitosis was much higher, according to the study.
The tongue has a rough surface with papillae, which are elevated bumps that humans can feel. These crevices can harbour food debris, germs, fungus, and dead cells. It’s logical that mouthwashes alone might not be sufficient to clear plaque from the tongue. Brushing makes sense because it helps to loosen and remove mouth debris.
Sustainbale tooth brush
Oral health and the impact of tongue cleaning methods brushing tongue and scraping were compared by streptococci level. Two tongue cleaning instruments were used: a flat plastic tongue scraper and a nylon small-headed toothbrush. It was discovered that both approaches were effective in lowering the bacteria levels.But the physical removal activity, as well as the instrument itself, should be given equal weight.
Another study from Odontostomatol Trop discovered that tongue scraping could lower the bacteria variants streptococci and Lactobacilli. They cause tooth cavities and gum disease. The patients in this trial were given very detailed instructions on how to clean their tongues. They were required to use a tongue scraper twice daily for at least two minutes for seven days. This was discovered to have a significant impact on bacterial reduction and oral halitosis reduction.
Tongue scrapers and brushes of various varieties appear to be efficient in eliminating plaque. According to a study published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene. Some scrapers may be more likely to trigger the gag reflex than others.
It could simply be a matter of personal preference and convenience in order to maintain a consistent practice.
Some toothbrushes, such as electric toothbrushes, now come with a tongue-brushing attachment that looks like a cross between a brush and a scraper and is flat in form.
How does a healthy tongue look like?
Our tongue is as unique as our fingerprints, and it’s the most flexible muscle in the body, according to Tongue 101: Facts.
The colour of a normal tongue is either pinkish or pink with a thin white coating, according to the study tongue coating and salivary bacterial counts in healthy/gingivitis participants and periodontitis patients.
The Oral Health Foundation’s Louise Langdon, an oral health expert, told Live Science: “A pink tongue is a sign of a healthy mouth. We don’t want any inflammation to appear. Anything that is red, white, or stands out is usually a sign of that needs to be attended.”
“Our tongues will always look different, depending on whether you’re a smoker, have medical conditions, or have a dry mouth,”.
Tongue washing is an important aspect of maintaining good dental hygiene: “Most people would brush their teeth with their own toothbrush. Depending on the manufacturer, certain toothbrushes use the backside to clean the tongue.
The tongue should not be forcefully brushed or scraped. Because it could become dry. So it should be cleaned once a day.
Advantages of cleaning your tongue
The first indication that something is wrong is the discolouration of the tongue. You may be familiar with the term “black hairy tongue,” . This refers to a condition in which the papillae (those raised bumps on our tongue) become elongated and darkened. As a result of causes such as poor dental hygiene, too much coffee, or certain medications.
Cleaning the tongue appears to be a good precautionary measure. According to the study a simple, frequent oral cleaning method reduces damaging bacteria in the dental microbiota. They effect oral cleaning on biofilm formation before it reaches maturity. Which is when we see a thicker coating on the tongue or feel plaque on our teeth. They developed the concept of “frequent disruption of biofilm” and demonstrated that cleaning the gums, teeth, and tongue then rinsing the mouth with water after eating was enough to drastically reduce bacteria.
Regular tongue brushing or scraping, followed by washing, may help to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria. To avoid oral health issues.
Diet, water intake, and lifestyle all have a role in the oral microbiome’s optimal function. Probiotics and herbal mouthwashes are helpful to sustain beneficial microbes in our oral ecology.
Oh, and don’t forget to clean your brush!