Did you know that brushing and flossing remove bacteria from teeth and gums but as much as 50% of the bacteria in the mouth live on the surface of your tongue?
And it’s these bacteria in particular that can be one cause of bad breath.

The best and most effective way of neutralising bacteria that live on the tongue is to scrape them off.  Your kids may think it sounds yucky but if they do it they’ll not only have a cleaner tongue, but their taste buds will be alive and food will taste so much better naturally!  So perhaps there’ll be less demand for sugary or salty foods.

Tongue cleaning for children is an important part of a complete oral hygiene routine and can be done safely using age-appropriate methods and tools.
• A great way to help your child start to familiarise themself with cleaning their tongue is using a toothbrush! This is a tool children can use to start practicing as part of their oral hygiene routine. However it is important to remember that toothbrushes are designed to clean teeth, so it won’t remove as much as scraping but it’s a good start!
• Another tool you can practice at home is to use a spoon. This is a good way to introduce your child to the idea of tongue scraping and how it feels. It’s more effective in removing the coating of bacteria from the tongue than brushing.
• The most effective tool to remove bacteria from the tongue is to use a tongue scraper. There are specific tongue scrapers that can be purchased in selected health food stores , pharmacies and online. Once your child is able to transition from a toothbrush/spoon, they can start using a tongue scraper. After they’ve finished brushing their teeth, get your child to brush or ‘paint’ his or her tongue gently from back to front and along the sides (no need to do underneath). Get them to brush as far back as possible without gagging.

Age-Appropriate Cleaning Methods

Newborns & Infants (0-6 months) – Use a damp cloth, gauze, or silicone finger brush. Gently wipe the tongue, gums, and inner cheeks with a clean, warm, damp cloth in a circular motion to remove milk residue and bacteria. No toothpaste is needed at this stage.

Toddlers (6 months – 3 years) – Soft, kid-friendly toothbrush or finger brush. Once the first tooth erupts, introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (rice-grain size). Gently brush the tongue or continue with the cloth/finger brush method, transitioning to a brush as they get used to the sensation.

Young Children (3-6 years) – Soft toothbrush or a child-sized tongue scraper. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste can be used. Supervise them closely and teach them proper technique, like sticking their tongue out to minimize the gag reflex.

Older Children (6+ years) – Child-sized or adult tongue scraper/brush. Children should have the motor skills to use a tongue scraper more independently, but continued supervision is important until they are between 6 and 9 years old.

OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!

Clean your tongue once or twice a day, ideally in the morning.

Cleaning your tongue is a key way to combat bad breath, as bacteria on the tongue are a major cause.

Mouthwash or rinsing the mouth with water does not replace tongue cleaning because it doesn’t physically remove built-up debris.

A white coating is usually a mix of bacteria, food debris, and dead cells. While daily cleaning helps, a persistent coating may indicate other issues that a dentist should check.

Thanks to our wonderful Oral Health Therapist, Sam
She works at our Werribee clinic. 
If you would like to talk to her or any of our amazing team, about this or any other questions you may have, please contact us on 03 9372 8960.