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Dentists Say You're Probably Forgetting To Clean This Part of Your Mouth

By Erica Sweeney Parade - Health Stories
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You probably brush your teeth at least twice a day. You may rinse with mouthwash each time and even floss daily. But there is probably one part of your mouth that you're forgetting to clean: your tongue.

"It's extremely necessary to clean your tongue," says Dr. Catrise Austin, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at VIP Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry and host of the podcast Let's Talk Smiles.

"Your tongue isn't a smooth surface," she adds. "It is covered in tiny grooves called papillae that trap bacteria, food debris and dead cells. This buildup forms a biofilm that brushing alone doesn't remove."

That biofilm can contribute to bad breath and gum inflammation over time, she says, so it's important to remove it. "Cleaning your tongue is beneficial to your overall oral health," says Dr. Amber Bonnaig, DDS, dental director in Georgia for DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S. It can minimize bad breath, boost gum health and improve your taste buds.

But it's a step many people skip, research suggests. One study of over 1,000 participants found that only about 18% cleaned their tongue every day, and roughly a third did so only occasionally. Tongue cleaning is also an often-overlooked component of good oral hygiene more broadly-a separate study found that even among medical students, less than half practiced tongue cleaning daily. Dr. Bonnaig explains that cleaning your tongue once a day is ideal. You can use a tongue scraper, which she says is the "gold standard for cleaning your tongue," or a soft-bristled toothbrush.

If you typically forget to clean your tongue, here's why dentists say you should add it to your oral hygiene regimen and how to do it safely and effectively.



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The Benefits of Cleaning Your Tongue

Tongue cleaning improves overall oral hygiene, and one of the top ways it does that is by reducing bad breath, Dr. Bonnaig says. Scraping your tongue helps remove "sulfur-producing bacteria," which cause it, Dr. Austin adds, noting that most bad breath originates from the tongue, not the teeth.

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Research shows that using a tongue scraper reduces volatile sulfur compounds, the main cause of bad breath, by 75%, and using a toothbrush reduces the compounds by 45%.

Cleaning your tongue also supports gum health, Dr. Austin says. Bacterial buildup on the tongue can lead to gum inflammation, which may cause gum disease. Removing it lowers your risk.

The accumulation of bacteria on your tongue can also affect your taste buds, according to Penn Dental Family Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. When you scrape off the bacteria, it will improve your sense of taste.

Are There Any Downsides To Cleaning Your Tongue?

The mouth has its own microbiome that keeps it healthy. Tongue cleaning can interfere with your mouth's microbiome, but this isn't harmful for most people, Dr. Bonnaig says, explaining, "Tongue cleaning temporarily reduces the buildup on the tongue. The good news is that the microbiome repopulates relatively quickly."

You're also usually not eliminating all bacteria on the tongue, just the excess harmful bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments like your mouth and cause odor and inflammation, Dr. Austin tells Parade.

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However, scraping too aggressively or over-scraping to the point of irritation could cause injury or problems, Dr. Austin adds.

Be careful using a toothbrush or scraper to clean your tongue if you have oral thrush, as it can make it worse, according to Penn Dental. Also, exercise caution if you have sensitive gums, periodontal disease, or open sores in your mouth-and if you're pregnant, have a sensitive gag reflex, or wear prosthodontics or dental appliances.

How To Clean Your Tongue

Clean your tongue once a day, preferably in the morning, Dr. Bonnaig says, sharing, "It can easily be done once you have completed your daily brushing and flossing routine."

Overnight, you produce less saliva, which lets bacteria multiply and produce volatile sulfur compounds, contributing to bad breath, Dr. Austin says, explaining, "That bacterial layer rebuilds every 24 hours, so daily removal is essential. For patients with bad breath, dry mouth or visible coating, I recommend twice-daily cleaning."

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Here are some tips for cleaning your tongue:

  • Use a tongue scraper or soft-bristled toothbrush. Dr. Austin says a tongue scraper is more effective because it lifts and removes buildup, while a toothbrush can move bacteria around. There are several different scrapers available. She suggests choosing one that feels comfortable to you so you'll use it consistently.
  • Be gentle. "Technique matters more than force," Dr. Austin says. Focus on lifting and removing the biofilm from the tongue, not scrubbing it aggressively.
  • Extend your tongue comfortably. Then, place the scraper as far back as you can without triggering your gag reflex, Dr. Austin says, sharing, "Using light, even pressure, slowly pull the scraper forward along the surface of the tongue. Rinse the scraper and repeat this motion two to three times."

If you're unsure how to clean your tongue, talk to your dentist, Dr. Bonnaig says. They can help you develop an overall oral hygiene plan that includes tongue cleaning.

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Sources:

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 7:50 PM.

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