Tongue Scrapers

Tongue scrapers are small dental appliances that can be used to scrape or clean your tongue. They are sold in most grocery stores in various shapes and sizes. They are a way to get rid of bad breath (halitosis). It can also help clear off a coated tongue. Dr. Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics recommends tongue scrapers for daily use in your oral hygiene routine.

 

When using a tongue scraper, place it at the back of the tongue and gently run it forward along your tongue. After each movement, rinse the scraper off with water and wash out your mouth. Do this for as many times as necessary. Coated tongues can be caused by smoking, dry mouth, yeast infections, medications, or poor oral hygiene. It is an accumulation of bacteria and dead cells on your tongue. A tongue scraper can get rid of these harmful pathogens. At the minimum, scraping your tongue at every meal can lead to positive results.

 

There are many benefits to using tongue scrapers besides an improvement in your breath. Some studies have shown daily tongue scraper use has lead to a heightened sense of taste. Because it scrapes off debris and bacteria, it can lead to an overall healthier mouth. Without bacteria, it is harder for cavities and other problems to arise.

 

Remember to be cautious when using the tongue scraper. Do not go too far back on your tongue. Be careful how much pressure you are applying and to where. You can accidentally cut the surface of your tongue if you aren't being careful.

 

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wong, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.

Preventing Bad Breath

At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic practice in Orland Park, we endeavor to make our patients’ treatment as comfortable as possible in all aspects, including odor. While we hope our patients know how to clean their orthodontic devices, the increased risk of dry mouth makes it especially important that they keep up with their oral hygiene, as well.

Saliva is one of the body’s most important defense mechanisms against tooth-decay causing bacteria. When saliva production slows down or is insufficient, bacteria are able to grow out of control, causing a bad odor.

Typically, when people suffer from dry mouth, chewing sugar-free gum is one of the recommended ways of increasing saliva production. But this isn’t an option for people with braces and is impractical for people wearing aligners or retainers. Another option is to use a throat moisturizer, which can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed for people suffering severe dryness. It is also helpful to reduce consumption of sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic beverages and to quit smoking and using tobacco products. Of course, drinking more water and using a humidifier are the most reliable ways of preventing dry mouth.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

Fighting Bad Breath

Along with keeping oral care for a nice smile, it is also important for keeping fresh breath. If you deal with frequent bad breath, keep reading for some tips! Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL wants all of their patients to practice good oral hygiene.

Bad breath is caused from bacteria in your mouth. There are certain kinds of bacteria that cause odor and the foods we eat can contribute to them. Foul-smelling breath can also be worsened by a dry mouth, as bacteria thrive in dry mouth conditions.

In order to keep bacteria at bay and your breath fresh, make sure to keep a clean mouth and stay hydrated. Brushing two or three times per day and flossing once per day will keep plaque and debris away. When brushing, make sure to hit all the surfaces of your mouth, especially your tongue. The tongue has hair-like taste buds where bacteria love to hide. Keep hydrated by getting in your daily water recommendation every day. It’s a good idea to mark a water bottle with times of the day so you get even hydration.

Avoid drinks that dry out the mouth like alcohol and caffeine, especially if you have an event you want fresh breath for, like if you will be sharing an elevator, a car, or have a date. If you do need a boost of caffeine, try green tea. It still has caffeine, but it hydrates you and has properties that fight bad breath bacteria!

To have fresh breath and keep it, oral hygiene is very important! To schedule an appointment at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL, call our office at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com.