The human mouth is one of the most bacteria-ridden parts of the body.

The Maryland-based National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that it has the second largest and most diverse microbiota after the gut, housing over 700 species of bacteria.

Researchers at the Forsyth Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine have used an NIH-funded study to visualise fluorescently labelled bacteria in intact biofilms from 21 healthy volunteers’ tongues.

The study, published in Cell Reports, enabled researchers to distinguish different bacteria and observe their arrangement.

“No one before has been able to look at the biofilm on the tongue in a way that distinguishes all the different bacteria so that we can see how they arrange themselves,” said senior author Dr Gary Borisy.

Not all types of bacteria are bad.

Some play a role in keeping a healthy oral biome. These include streptococcus, actinomyces and fusobacterium.

A proper oral routine can help with maintaining good oral flora that will in turn assist in maintaining gut health.

Brushing your teeth and flossing are already well-known ways to clean your teeth. So, here are a few tips for removing harmful bacteria, food debris, and dead cells, which can contribute to bad breath and other oral health issues. Here are some effective ways to clean your tongue:

Tongue scraper

Specifically designed for cleaning the tongue, tongue scrapers are highly effective at removing bacteria and debris.

They are usually made of plastic or metal and have a curved edge that helps scrape off the unwanted buildup to get your tongue squeaky clean!

Ol’ handy toothbrush

The old, but faithful soft bristle toothbrush can help clean the tongue. Some toothbrushes even have a built-in tongue cleaner on the back of the head.

Brushing your tongue helps remove particles and bacteria.

Mouthwash

Antimicrobial mouthwashes can help kill bacteria on the tongue and in the entire mouth.

Rinsing with mouthwash can be an additional step after brushing and scraping for comprehensive oral hygiene.

If you do not like the burn or taste of mouthwashes this other option might be a better fit for you.

Saltwater rinse

Gargling with a saltwater solution can help reduce bacteria and soothe the tongue.

Salt also has natural antiseptic and antifungal properties. It also does not hurt that it is cost-effective.

Baking soda

Brushing your tongue with a paste made from baking soda and water can help neutralise odours and clean the tongue.

Baking soda, chemically composed of sodium bicarbonate, also has antibacterial properties.

Tongue brushes

Tongue brushes are specifically designed with bristles suited for cleaning the tongue’s surface. They can be more effective than regular toothbrushes at reaching the crevices of the tongue to remove the slime and debris.

Oil pulling

Swishing oil (such as coconut oil) in your mouth for 15-20 minutes can help remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue and the rest of the mouth. This ancient practice is believed to improve oral health.

In addition to these tips, quitting smoking and/or vaping, changing your diet and staying hydrated will positively impact your oral and physical health. Taking a holistic approach will yield more improvement and aid in overall oral health maintenance.