{"id":2659,"date":"2026-09-22T10:56:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T10:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cygnetessexdental.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2659"},"modified":"2026-09-22T10:56:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T10:56:56","slug":"tongue-scraping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cygnetessexdental.co.uk\/blog\/hygiene\/tongue-scraping\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need To Scrape My Tongue (and other soft oral tissue advice)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oral cavity health advice from our Wickford dentists<\/h2>\n

Most of us should have a fairly good idea of how to look after our teeth by brushing them twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between them with floss. But what about the rest of the mouth? The tongue, cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth are all part of our oral health, yet they don\u2019t always get the same attention as our teeth. You may have seen tongue scrapers advertised and wondered whether you really need one. There are also plenty of suggestions online about cleaning and caring for the soft tissues of the mouth.<\/p>\n

So, is tongue scraping something we should all be doing? The short answer is no. It can be useful for some people, but it is not an essential part of everybody’s oral care routine.<\/p>\n

What is tongue scraping?<\/h3>\n

A tongue scraper is a simple device designed to remove material from the surface of the tongue. This can include bacteria, food debris and dead cells, which can build up particularly towards the back of the tongue.<\/p>\n

Some people find that scraping their tongue makes it feel cleaner and can help with bad breath. If you enjoy using one and do it gently, there is generally no reason not to. However, you should not scrape aggressively if you do clean your tongue. The tongue is a sensitive surface and excessive scraping can cause irritation. A toothbrush can also be used for this purpose and there is no need to buy any special equipment.<\/p>\n

Can tongue cleaning help bad breath?<\/h3>\n

The tongue has a rough surface with plenty of tiny spaces where bacteria and debris can collect. These bacteria can produce unpleasant-smelling compounds so it is possible that this might be where your bad breath is coming from. If your bad breath is persistent though, you should make an appointment at the Cygnet Dental Practice in Wickford<\/a> to have it checked as this could also be a sign of gum disease.<\/p>\n

The cheeks<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Under normal circumstances, you do not normally need to clean the inside of your cheeks. This is a delicate area and cleans itself to a large extent through normal saliva flow and the movement of the mouth. It is more important to be aware of what is normal for you. We suggest that, from time to time, you check the inside of your cheeks, lips and other parts of your mouth when brushing your teeth. If you find anything unusual for you,\u00a0 such as a persistent sore area, lump, ulcer, change in colour or patch that looks different from the surrounding tissue, please have this checked by your dentist. Most changes will have an innocent explanation, but anything that persists should be checked for peace of mind if nothing else.<\/p>\n

The roof of your mouth?<\/h3>\n

Again, there is normally no need to clean the roof of your mouth. The palate is exposed to food and drink every day and is naturally kept reasonably clean by saliva and normal mouth movements. If you do have something that becomes stuck there, such as a piece of food, drinking some water or gently rinsing your mouth will usually be sufficient.<\/p>\n

Keeping your gums clean<\/h3>\n

The gums are almost certainly the soft tissues that deserve the most attention in your daily routine. Unlike the cheeks and palate, the gums sit right next to the teeth, where plaque can build up. If plaque is not removed properly, the gums can become inflamed<\/a>. This can lead to redness, swelling and bleeding when you brush or clean between your teeth among other problems. Rather than using a special product on your gums, good brushing and interdental cleaning with floss or an interdental brush are the most important things you can do. A toothbrush should be used gently along the gumline, making sure that the area where the teeth and gums meet is cleaned.<\/p>\n

If your gums bleed regularly, do not respond by avoiding them. Bleeding can be a sign of inflammation and is something your dentist or hygienist can help you investigate.<\/p>\n

Mouthwash<\/h3>\n

Mouthwash can have a place in an oral hygiene routine, but not everyone needs it. There are different types of mouthwash available, and some are intended for particular dental problems. Others simply provide a fresh feeling in the mouth. Mouthwash should certainly not be considered a replacement for brushing and cleaning between the teeth. If you are thinking of using one, discuss this with your dentist rather than buying one off the shelf that appeals to you.<\/p>\n

Oral cancer checks<\/h3>\n

There is one area where soft tissue checks can play an important role beyond soreness and ulcers etc. Some irregularities could indicate potentially serious issues such as oral cancers. This especially applies if you smoke or drink alcohol excessively. In most instances, an occasional mouth ulcer, for example, is usually nothing to worry about and will normally clear up on its own. But a sore, lump, ulcer, red or white patch, or other change that does not heal should be checked by our dentists.<\/p>\n

In many cases, there will be an obvious reason for these issues, but if there are concerns, we may refer you to your GP. While it is important to follow up on this, you should not panic. Our dentists are in an excellent position to check your mouth regularly but we are not qualified to diagnose cancers and a referral to your GP is purely precautionary.<\/p>\n

We hope that you found this advice useful, and remember that although you might associate dentists with your teeth; if you do have an issue with any of the soft tissue in your mouth, do mention it during your check up, or book a prior appointment if you are concerned. You can contact the Cygnet Dental Practice by calling our friendly reception team on 01268 733078<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Oral cavity health advice from our Wickford dentists Most of us should have a fairly good …<\/p>\n

Do I Need To Scrape My Tongue (and other soft oral tissue advice)<\/span> Read more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hygiene"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t