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All About Implants

My teeth were starting to deteriorate, and I was running out of options to repair them. The dentist gave me a choice. I could wait until the bone loss was so bad that I would have to have my teeth removed and get dentures, or I could have them removed now and get dental implants. I opted for the implants. If you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions. I love mine, but they took some getting used to. In this blog, I’m sharing my experience and all the information that I picked up throughout my implant experience. You can find out what the procedure entails, how to prepare for your implants, and how to care for them once they’re in.

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How To Keep Your Tongue Clean Without Gagging

by Alfredo Moore

If you're making an effort to improve your oral health or the smell of your breath, you may be trying to keep your tongue clean. Keeping your tongue clean is an important step of maintaining oral hygiene, but it can be difficult for many people. If you're having a hard time cleaning your tongue because you keep gagging, here are some tips to make it easier.

Gradual

Like most things, brushing or scraping your tongue is something that gets easier with time. As a result, you should try to get into the habit gradually rather than diving in straight away.

If you're finding that reaching a certain part of your tongue makes you gag, back off a little bit. Clean your tongue just up to that point and leave it at that. After a few days, try going a little bit farther and see if you still have the gag reaction. If not, scrub that part of your tongue too. Keep going until you can clean the entire tongue without gagging.

Different Strokes

Another potential way to make it easier is to change the way that you're brushing your tongue. Most people try to brush their tongues by simply going back and forth over the surface of the tongue. Unfortunately, when you push the brush towards the back of your mouth, it can make you gag.

Instead, try starting at the back of the tongue and pulling your brush or scraper forward, towards your front teeth. Don't push the brush backward at all. This may reduce the amount of gag reflex you're experiencing.

Rinse

Mouthwash can make a big difference in the amount of bacteria on your tongue. While plaque, saliva, and mucus can still potentially build up on your tongue, simply rinsing with mouthwash can help to flush away bacteria. Since this bacteria is partially responsible for bad breath and the buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums, it's a good idea to get rid of it. If you can't stand brushing your tongue, use the mouthwash instead.

While your tongue typically can't be hurt by bacteria and plaque the same way that your teeth and gums can be, that doesn't mean that it should be neglected. Your tongue harbors large amounts of bacteria that can be spread all over your freshly-cleaned teeth and gums if you don't take steps to clean it while performing your regular oral hygiene maintenance. Talk to a dentist if you need more advice on zapping bacteria in your mouth.

Contact a company like Pinon Hills Dental for more information and assistance.

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