The dentist talked about the effect of cleaning the tongue on the human body

Regular cleaning of the tongue helps to prevent ENT diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and also helps to maintain the sensitivity of the taste buds. Arina Sozinova, a dentist and therapist at SM-Dentistry, told Izvestia about this on February 25.

According to the expert, the surface of the tongue has a complex relief. Numerous papillae form a vast uneven area, in the recesses of which food particles linger and bacteria accumulate. As a result, the language becomes a kind of "depot" of microflora.

"The food residues that remain between the papillae serve as a source of nutrition for bacteria. Over time, plaque forms, which is one of the most common causes of bad breath — halitosis. Therefore, cleansing the tongue is important not only for the prevention of dental problems, but also for the prevention of ENT diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, regular cleansing helps to reduce the severity of halitosis and maintain the sensitivity of the taste buds," explained Sozinova.

The doctor emphasized that the tongue should be cleaned twice a day — after basic brushing, regardless of whether plaque is noticeable or not. In the evening, the procedure allows you to remove the impurities accumulated during the day, and in the morning — to remove the plaque that formed during the night.

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Most of these kits do not have documents confirming the harmlessness of the product.

Special devices can be used for care. One of the most convenient options is a tongue scraper, a spoon—shaped attachment.

"The scraper effectively removes plaque not only from the back of the tongue, but also from the inner surface of the cheeks. It should be placed as close as possible to the root of the tongue and gently held towards the tip, removing plaque," explained the dentist.

An alternative is a spoon-shaped nozzle for an irrigator. It combines mechanical cleaning with the supply of a jet of water, which washes away the remaining impurities. When using an irrigator, it is recommended to start with a minimum pressure, gradually increasing it if necessary.

Sozinova noted that tongue cleaners, like toothbrushes, need to be replaced regularly — about once every three months with constant use.

"Systematic hygiene of the tongue makes it possible to reduce the amount of pathogenic microflora in the oral cavity by about a third and reduce plaque formation. In addition, in 85% of cases, cleaning the tongue helps to significantly reduce bad breath, whereas only brushing the teeth reduces its severity in about 25% of cases," the specialist added.

Sevak Barseghyan, Candidate of Medical Sciences, maxillofacial surgeon, Chief Physician of the Estetus Clinic, said on February 20 that secondary caries under old fillings often goes unnoticed and leads to serious complications. He clarified that tissue destruction often occurs at the junction of the filling with the tooth due to the formation of microscopic cracks where bacteria enter. One of the reasons for the gaps is the shrinkage of composite materials during solidification.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.