09 Jun Are Tongue Scraping Tools Recommended?
Are Tongue Scraping Tools Recommended?
Everyone knows that to maintain proper oral health, they need to be brushing their teeth twice daily and flossing once a day. But not everyone knows that there are other things that they can be doing to enhance their oral health. For some people, this involves tongue scraping.
What is a tongue scraper?
A tongue scraper is a flat piece of plastic or metal bent into a “U” shape for the removal of oral bacteria and food particles from the tongue’s surface. People who practice tongue scraping typically do it first thing in the morning for the removal of any debris that accumulated while they were sleeping.
What are the benefits of tongue scraping?
Tongue scraping can offer numerous benefits, including:
Preventing Bad Breath
Most cases of bad breath arise because of the overgrowth of bacteria that stick to the surfaces within the mouth, such as the tongue. Some of these places are hard to reach using a toothbrush. Studies have found that much of this bacterial accumulation can be reduced using tongue scraping, leading to fresher breath.
People with bad breath often have a light, visible coating on the surface of their tongues. Using a tongue scraper will allow you to remove much of this coat in one fell swoop. Although you can brush your tongue using a toothbrush, a tongue scraper has a unique shape that allows for the removal of more bacteria with each swipe.
Enhancing Food Flavor
All of the gunk that builds up on the tongue can cover your taste buds, blocking them over time. In turn, this can make it more difficult to taste certain flavors in your food. Tongue scraping uncovers your taste buds and enhances the sensation of taste.
Improving Gum Health
When you combine tongue scraping with your regular brushing and flossing routine, you are removing oral bacteria that lead to periodontal problems, tooth decay, plaque accumulations, and gum recession, helping promote your overall tooth and gum health.
How would I scrape my tongue with a tongue scraper?
Using a tongue scraper is fairly simple. When you get up in the morning, brush and floss your teeth to loosen debris. Holding the ends of the scraper in your hands, stick out your tongue, and place the scraper on your tongue as far back as is comfortably possible.
Gently scrape your tongue’s surface using one long stroke, all the way from the back to the front. Rinse your tongue scraper in water, and repeat the process until your tongue looks and feels clean. This could take as many as 10 swipes.
The Bottom Line
While not absolutely essential, many patients find that tongue scraping augments their brushing and flossing efforts at home to help them maintain fresh breath and prevent gum disease. Many health food stores offer inexpensive tongue scrapers, and some are also available online. The stainless steel types are preferable to plastic ones, since they can be cleaned more easily.