Should You Brush Your Tongue Before or After Brushing Teeth? A Guide

Should You Brush Your Tongue Before or After Brushing Your Teeth?

Proper oral hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth. It's also important to clean your tongue, as bacteria and debris can build up there over time. But when is the best time to brush your tongue - before or after brushing your teeth? Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of each approach.

Brushing Your Tongue Before Brushing Your Teeth

Some dentists recommend brushing your tongue before you brush your teeth. Here are some of the main benefits of doing it in this order:

• Gets rid of tongue coating first thing - By brushing all that built-up gunk off your tongue first, you're starting your oral care routine with a clean slate.
• Prevents bacteria from spreading - Brushing your tongue first can help prevent some of the bacteria on your tongue from spreading to your teeth and gums when you brush them.
• Enhances the flavor of toothpaste - Starting with a fresher tongue allows you to better taste your minty toothpaste, making brushing a more pleasant experience.

Potential Drawbacks of Tongue Brushing First

However, there are a few downsides to brushing your tongue first, such as:

• Toothbrush may pick up debris - Your toothbrush bristles could collect some of the tongue bacteria and residue you just brushed off.
• Toothpaste flavor fades - By the time you brush your teeth after your tongue, the minty taste of toothpaste in your mouth may have faded.
• Forgets to brush tongue - Brushing your tongue first might mean you forget to return to it after brushing your teeth.

Brushing Your Teeth Before Your Tongue

Meanwhile, other dental professionals recommend brushing your teeth first, then your tongue. Here are some benefits of doing it in this order:

• Cleans teeth and gums thoroughly first - You can focus fully on brushing every surface of every tooth before moving to your tongue.
• No debris transfer to toothbrush - Your toothbrush stays cleaner without picking up as many tongue bacteria when you brush teeth first.
• Toothpaste flavor remains - The minty zing of toothpaste still tingles your tastebuds as you then brush all that buildup off your tongue.

The Potential Pitfalls of Brushing Teeth First

Brush teeth first isn't without its drawbacks, however:

• Bacteria may transfer during brushing - Brushing your teeth while there's still a coating on your tongue may allow more bacteria to spread in your mouth.
• Forgets to brush tongue - There's a chance you might get distracted and forget to come back to brush your tongue after your teeth.
• Less pleasant tongue brushing - Scraping your tongue after the fresh toothpaste flavor has faded can be less enjoyable.

Finding What Works Best for You

As you can see, there's no definitively right or wrong time to brush your tongue versus your teeth. It's mostly up to personal preference. However, here are some factors to consider when deciding:

• Morning vs night - You may choose to brush your teeth first thing in the AM to help wake you up, then tongue before bed to end the day fresh.
• Extent of tongue coating - If you often see thick visible debris on your tongue, brush it first to tackle that head-on.
• Gag reflex sensitivity - Those with a sensitive gag reflex may find brushing their tongue easier to tolerate before toothpaste and a toothbrush stimulate saliva production.
• Forgetfulness - If you know you're likely to get distracted mid-routine, make tongue-brushing the first step so you don't miss it.

Tips for Being Consistent

Whatever order you decide is best, consistency is key for oral health. Here are tips to ensure you don't forget your all-important tongue-brushing step:

• Leave your toothbrush by your sink Seeing your toothbrush readily available can cue you not to forget.
• Note it on your bathroom mirror Write yourself a little sticky note or whiteboard reminder.
• Set a timer Many electric toothbrushes have timers, or use your phone to keep you on track.
• Incorporate it into your habits Always make tongue-brushing part of your regular oral care sessions.

How to Properly Brush Your Tongue

Once you've decided on the optimal order for your individual oral hygiene routine, let's look at the proper technique for brushing your tongue:

Use the Right Tools

You have options when it comes to which tools to use:

• Toothbrush - Any soft-bristle toothbrush can be used.
• Tongue scraper - Special U-shaped devices designed specifically for tongue cleaning.
• Bristle brush - Small toothbrush-like tools with soft narrowed bristles.

While you can certainly use your regular toothbrush, tongue scrapers tend to be more effective at removing bacteria and debris. Bristle brushes also have bristles and tongues-hugging shapes engineered for the task.

Proper Technique

Here are some tips for good tongue brushing technique once you have your tool ready:

• Stick out your tongue as far as is comfortable.
• Start the back of your tongue and brush forward.
• Brush the sides and center of your tongue.
• Rinse scraper/brush and repeat until clean.
• Rinse mouth thoroughly afterwards.

Take care not to brush back too far and trigger your gag reflex. Go slowly, especially if you have a strong reflex.

How Often to Brush Tongue

For optimal oral health, aim to brush your tongue (and teeth) twice daily:

• Morning - Brushing upon waking removes overnight bacteria accumulation.
• Evening - Brushing before bed keeps new bacteria from growing as you sleep.

If possible, also consider briefly brushing after meals or snacks when you eat/drink something sugary that feeds oral bacteria.

Complementary Oral Health Practices

While proper tongue brushing technique is critical, also consider adopting these other healthy oral habits:

Drink More Water

Hydrating well flushes food particles and bacteria buildup out of your mouth naturally.

Eat More Crunchy Fruits/Veggies

Chewing crisp produce like carrots and apples can scrape your tongue surface a bit too.

Use an Antiseptic Mouthwash

Swishing daily with an antiseptic, alcohol-free rinse reduces overall oral bacteria.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

See your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and oral exam.

Replace Toothbrush Regularly

Get a new toothbrush every 3 months to keep bristles most effective.

The Takeaway

Maintaining good oral health requires cleaning your tongue as well as your teeth daily. Decide if brushing your tongue before or after brushing teeth fits best into your personal care routine. Be consistent, use proper technique with quality tools, and complement with other beneficial oral practices.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.