Tongue Cleaning for Bad Breath

Oral malodor experts tell us that tongue cleaning for bad breath is the single most important preventative step we can take. Why? Because the offensive odor associated with bad breath is produced by bacteria living in the mouth and vast numbers of these bacteria actually live and reproduce on the surface of the tongue. Many details are still unknown about halitosis causes and cures, but this much is documented scientific fact.

The relationship between halitosis and tongue bacteria came to light as soon as it was understood that anaerobic bacteria – just one group among the many types of bacteria that normally inhabit the mouth – produce foul smelling volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) as a byproduct of protein metabolism. Anaerobes thrive in locations where there is very little or no oxygen: decreasing the number and area of those locations decreases the number of anaerobes and is the basis of the logic that tongue cleaning for bad breath is effective.

The architecture of the back of the tongue provides ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria. There, the tongue surface is grooved and divided creating deep crevices where anaerobes produce halitosis and tongue coatings of mucous that help to protect these bacteria from harmful oxygen. Tongue cleaning for bad breath not only removes the mucous, exposing more surface area to oxygen, it also physically removes a lot of the bacteria. In an otherwise healthy mouth, this may represent the majority of anaerobes that are present.

Tongue cleaning for bad breath involves either gently brushing or scraping the surface of the tongue, especially the area furthest back. If you open your mouth and extend your tongue, you will likely see a whitish coating toward the back – this is the coating you need to remove. Proceed gently so as not to damage the delicate tissues of the tongue – some people use a toothbrush and scrub gently; others use a small inverted spoon, but you can also purchase tongue scrapers designed specifically for the task of breaking the cycle of halitosis and tongue anaerobes. If you suffer from halitosis and intend to make tongue cleaning a regular habit, the minimal cost of a tongue cleaner is well worth it.

Alternative Medicine for Bad Breath

Like other applications of alternative health care, alternative medicine for bad breath aims to get rid of the problem by identifying the cause and correcting it without drugs. While this approach may require more effort, including significant lifestyle changes, it is probably more likely to yield real and long-lasting results than the long term use of breath fresheners and antibacterial preparations.

Alternative bad breath cures address the source of the odor—bacteria in the mouth that are breaking down proteins and sugars and releasing rotten smelling compounds as a byproduct. What causes most cases of bad breath is the presence, in the mouth, of bits of food and cellular debris, along with the bacteria capable of using that material for food. Alternative medicine for bad breath addresses both the debris and the bacteria.

Obviously, keeping the mouth clean and healthy is the first step. Alterative bad breath cures start with a thorough professional dental cleaning and a regular routine of self care that includes bushing the teeth several times each day, flossing daily, brushing the tongue, and regularly scheduled checkups at the dentist. Theories of alternative medicine for bad breath hold that most cases of halitosis will be cured with this approach. Where tooth decay and gum disease are present, these conditions may have to be cleared up before bad breath will completely disappear.

Once the mouth is clean and healthy, there’s very little material left for bacteria to use for food, and this alone, according to the wisdom of alternative medicine for bad breath, should cut down on their numbers. Brushing the back of the tongue is particularly important because it physically removes debris that is lodged there, the thick layer of protective mucus that coats bacteria living deep in the crevices, and the bacteria themselves. Alternative bad breath cures, as well as conventional medicine, believe that the back of the tongue is the main place that these bacteria are found.

Some people find that certain foods are a particular problem for causing halitosis, even when oral hygiene is good—preventing this may require avoiding the food altogether, or using alternative bad breath cures such as rinsing with a little peppermint oil, chewing a sprig of parsley, or sipping an herbal tea until the offensive odor fades.

Clearly, some cases of bad breath are an indication of a more serious medical problem that alternative medicine for bad breath cannot resolve. In cases of persistent or worsening halitosis, it’s important to consult a qualified medical professional.