How to get the fuzzies off the back of your tongue when you have bad gag reflexes?

Unfortunately it can be quite difficult to remove all of the fuzzies, especially those at the back of the tongue. It is not uncommon to gag when cleaning the tongue, most people do, however there are a few things you can do to help.

• Choose the right brush

It may sound silly but you may need to buy a different brush than your usual toothbrush. Most toothbrushes are a similar size that can be quite intrusive when pushed right to the back of the tongue. Buying a smaller brush, with soft bristles will minimize the risk of making you gag.

• Practice

The more you brush your tongue the more you will get used to it. You can also practice different techniques that may be less likely to make you gag, for example, drag dental floss over the tongue instead of brushing.

Practice taking deep breaths and exhaling gently while you push the brush further back and ensure your tongue is pushed far out.

• General oral hygiene

There are different methods of achieving good oral hygiene. Although it is still advised that you brush your tongue, other methods can minimize the bacteria in the mouth in general. Make sure you brush all areas of your teeth (an electric toothbrush can be useful); floss between your teeth and use mouthwash a couple of times a week.

Try the above methods and if you still gag, mention the problem to your dentist, they will be able to give you some advice and suggest some smaller products to use on your tongue.