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How Tongue Scraping Can Transform Your Oral Hygiene Routine

How Tongue Scraping Can Transform Your Oral Hygiene Routine

How Tongue Scraping Can Transform Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Tongue scraping is a simple oral hygiene practice that has become popular recently for its many health benefits beyond just fresh breath. By using a specially designed tool to scrape off the buildup on your tongue each day gently, you can remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that contribute to issues like bad breath, plaque buildup, gum disease, and more. While tongue scraping has been done for thousands of years, more and more people are discovering the easy and effective way it can improve overall oral and digestive health.

What is Tongue Scraping?

Tongue scraping refers to using a specially designed U-shaped metal or plastic tongue scraper to remove bacteria, food debris, fungi and dead cells that build up on the surface of the tongue. This buildup leads to bad breath and negatively impacts oral and overall health.

Ayurvedic medicine has promoted tongue scraping for thousands of years as a key component of daily oral care to prevent disease and promote wellbeing. More recently, Western medicine and dental professionals have started recognizing the many evidence-based benefits of regular tongue scraping as well.

Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Adding tongue scraping to your oral hygiene regimen provides remarkable health advantages:

1. Eliminates Bad Breath

Bad breath or chronic halitosis, is most commonly caused by the toxins from bacteria and decaying food accumulating on the tongue’s surface. Tongue scraping is proven to effectively reduce bad breath by removing this buildup. Studies show it works better than mouthwash alone.

2. Removes Oral Bacteria

There are more bacteria on the tongue than anywhere else in the mouth. Research indicates that bacteria residing on the roughly textured and porous surface of the tongue can contribute to cavities, gingivitis and various other oral health issues. Tongue scraping helps control harmful oral bacteria.

3. Improves Taste

By wiping away dead cells, bacteria and food debris, tongue scraping helps refresh your mouth, clears bitter tastes and improves your ability to discern flavors. One study found over 77% of participants reported better taste perception after two weeks of regular tongue scraping.

4. Aids the Immune System

Some holistic dental professionals theorize that removing excess bacteria and toxins from your tongue may support immune response throughout the body. Limiting incoming toxins reduces the immune system’s workload.

5. Freshens Breath Longer after Brushing

While tooth brushing also temporarily decreases oral bacteria, since more microbes live on the tongue, it regrows faster on the tongue than on teeth surfaces after brushing. Targeting the tongue has a longer lasting effect for freshening breath.

6. May Reduce Inflammation

Recent preliminary studies report correlations between tongue scraping and decreases in markers for inflammation like cytokines as well as improvements in oral hygiene. More research is still needed, but removing inflammatory bacteria seems promising for reducing disease-causing inflammation.

7. Improves Taste, Smell and Recovery from Cold/Flu

Anecdotal evidence from avid tongue scraper users indicates benefits for diminished taste and smell during or after upper respiratory infections from colds and sinus infections. Tongue scraping may help decrease related congestion and recover capacities faster.

Types of Tongue Scrapers

Tongue scraping tools have come a long way since their first inception in ancient India. Today tongue cleaners come in all shapes, sizes, designs and materials:

Metal Tongue Scrapers

Stainless steel is the most common metal choice. Metal tongue scrapers frequently have curved, beveled edges and wide scraping surfaces. Copper tongue scrapers also have antimicrobial properties.

Plastic Tongue Scrapers

Molded plastic tongue cleaners are mainstream, affordable and available. Textured grip areas provide control. Some models have soft, gentle bristles along the scrapers.

Natural Material Tongue Scrapers

Eco-conscious consumers can find scrapers made of renewable materials like bamboo, wood, coconut shell composite and copper. These durable choices have a smaller carbon footprint.

How to Use a Tongue Scraper Properly

Fortunately, tongue scraping only adds about 30 seconds to one’s regular oral care routine. But technique impacts efficacy and safety. Follow these best practices:

Before First Use

Proper Technique

Frequency

Initially, consider scraping daily or every other day, observing degree of debris. Adjust to maintain clean tongue with 1-2 specialized scrapings weekly for maintenance after deep cleaning is achieved. Some sources suggest daily preventative scraping is best long term. Note taste bud sensitivity will adjust over 1-2 weeks of regular scraping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Tongue scraping is generally harmless when done carefully. However, certain overzealous mistakes can backfire:

Aggressive Scraping

Over-scraping too hard with sharp edges can damage tongue tissue, causing soreness, irritation or injuries. Ease in slowly and respond to any discomfort by adjusting pressure or stroke length.

Inadequate Rinsing

Failing to regularly rinse away debris allows it to be re-deposited deeper on the tongue. Rinse the scraper itself often as well during the process. Always rinse thoroughly after.

Reusing Contaminated Scrapers

Using a contaminated tongue scraper spreads bacteria. Never share scrapers. Always wash hands before handling the tool or your tongue. Rinse and towel dry scraper thoroughly between uses if not visible completely clean and dry already.

Storing Wet Scrapers

Wet storage promotes mold and bacteria growth. Fully dry tongue scraper on a clean towel before putting away to prevent microbial issues long term, especially with natural bristle scrapers.

Tongue Scraping Safety, Allergies & Side Effects

When practiced carefully using proper technique, tongue scraping is completely safe for the vast majority of adults and children ages 5+. Since it simply removes superficial debris, any skin interactions or absorption concerns associated with chemicals in mouthwash are not a factor.

A few considerations include:

With conscious precautions, tongue scraping is very low risk. Most users report only positive side effects like fresher breath, improved taste and wellness motivation around oral health routines after adding tongue scraping.

How to Clean Tongue Scrapers

To limit recontamination, thoroughly cleaning tongue scrapers between uses is paramount, especially with the reservoir of bacteria residing on the tongue.

Quick Rinse

Soap and Water Wash

Boiling Water Option

Vinegar Soak

Hydrogen Peroxide

UV Light Sanitizers

Combine scrubbing and an alternative sanitizing technique for best results cleaning tongue scrapers. Ensure drying fully before covering for storage as well. Added weekly disinfecting maintains effectiveness over months of scraping use.

Discovering the Best Tongue Scraper

The array of tongue scraper choices today accommodates all preferences and budgets for adding this oral wellness habit. Identify needs and perfect the technique before selecting long term tools.

Consider factors like:

Sampling affordable options first allows finding ideal styles to upgrade later or gift better quality picks once scraping is an established habit. Even basic models provide immense benefits depth and comfort scraping long term.

Making Tongue Scraping a Daily Habit

Integrating tongue scraping seamlessly into your self-care rituals streamlines sticking with it. Making the commitment requires adjusting your mindset and oral care habits.

Becoming Convinced

Review the compelling health, wellness and fresh breath benefits routinely. Watch video tutorials demonstrating just how much hidden grime accumulates on tongues. Once you witness scraped debris firsthand, you will become convinced too.

Allowing Time Adjustment

Initially tacking on new steps extends your oral care routine. But we all adjust habits around things that become priorities. Soon you won’t recall the last time you skipped it.

Pairing Scraping with Existing Habits

Connect tongue cleaning steps to current habits by scraping right before brushing teeth or using bathroom time effectively by scaling teeth and tongue back to back. Floss, brush, scrape tongue and rinse becomes your standard sequence.

Not Letting Travel Derail the Routine

Stash mini tongue scraper versions in travel bags, lockers or desks at work to scrap on the go. Or pack a trusted regular sized one. Stay as consistent as possible even if just a quick once over for maintenance.

FAQs

Does tongue scraping hurt?

Tongue scraping should not hurt if done properly. Apply light pressure and focus on removing debris gently without damaging taste buds. Using a scraper with smooth, rounded edges minimizes discomfort. Allow your mouth to adjust during the first 1-2 weeks of scraping if tongue feels extra sensitive initially.

When should I scrape my tongue?

The best time to scrape your tongue is in the morning before eating or drinking anything. This allows better visibility and access to the previous day’s accumulated coating on the tongue’s surface to remove. Also scrape before your evening brushing to clean away daily buildup for fresher overnight breath.

Can I scrape too hard?

Yes, excessively aggressive scraping can damage tongue tissue. Ease into increasing pressure and pay attention to any discomfort, bleeding or lasting soreness as signs to gentle your approach. Investing in a scraper with rounded, smooth edges can allow firmer scraping without injury.

How do I clean my tongue scraper between uses?

To limit bacteria exposure, clean your scraper by scrubbing well with soap and warm water or soaking in mouthwash, vinegar, peroxide or boiling water. Rinse thoroughly. UV sanitizers also disinfect between uses. Ensure drying fully before covering and storing as well.

Can I share my tongue scraper with family members?

Sharing tongue scrapers is not recommended due to the bacteria exposure risk. Bacteria and viruses from illnesses can spread this way. Using your own designated scraper helps track your oral health individually as well. Assign a color coded scraper for each family member, especially helpful for children.

Final Lines

The proof is hard to deny – incorporating tongue scraping delivers immense yet simple health upgrades with very little effort or lifestyle impact. Beyond fresher breath lies cleaner teeth, improved taste and immunity and reduced bacteria linked to multiple issues.

Commit just 30 seconds twice a day to this ancient cleansing ritual passed down by holistic healers. Select any budget-friendly starter scraper that appeals from online or health food stores. But begin rebalancing oral microbiology right away. In no time, you will become a believer in the broad wellness booster Ayurveda has touted for eons that is tongue scraping. Namaste!

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