What happens if you don't brush your tongue? When you don't brush your tongue, a nasty coating of bacteria, food particles, and dead skin cells called a biofilm can cover up your taste buds, leaving your sense of taste less sharp . It's otherwise harmless, and once you start tongue brushing, it should disappear. How do I get rid of plaque on my tongue? You may be able to remove the white coating from your tongue by gently brushing it with a soft toothbrush. Or softly run a tongue scraper across your tongue. Drinking lots of water can also help flush bacteria and debris out of your mouth.