Do I need to clean my tongue coating?

Tongue coating generally needs to be cleaned regularly. Tongue coating is a thin layer of substance on the surface of the tongue, primarily composed of food debris, bacteria, and dead cells. If not promptly cleaned, the tongue coating can become thick, not only causing bad breath but also potentially affecting taste sensation and serving as a breeding ground for bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of oral diseases. Cleaning the tongue coating can reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth, improve breath odor, and enhance overall oral hygiene.

In daily life, several simple methods can be employed to clean the tongue coating. A dedicated tongue scraper or a soft-bristled toothbrush can be used to gently remove the coating from the tongue's surface, lightly scraping from back to front while avoiding excessive force that might injure the tongue. This should be done at least once daily, preferably after brushing teeth. Additionally, maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth morning and night and using dental floss to clean between teeth, also helps reduce the formation of tongue coating. Dietary choices should be清淡 (light or bland), with reduced intake of spicy and greasy foods, and increased water consumption to promote saliva production, which helps clean the mouth naturally. If the tongue coating appears abnormally thick or is accompanied by other symptoms such as persistent bad breath or redness of the tongue, medical attention should be sought promptly for professional advice and treatment.