What Is Tongue Scraping?
Tongue scraping is a hygiene practice that involves using a tool called a tongue scraper or tongue cleaner to remove debris, bacteria, and dead cells from your tongue's surface. This process has benefits that brushing alone may miss. [1]
Our tongue can harbor up to 20 billion bacteria. A study highlighted by the NCBI reveals that less than 10% of participants use a tongue scraper to clean their tongue, a surprisingly low figure given the importance of oral hygiene for overall health. While brushing your tongue with your toothbrush may help, using a tongue scraper will be definitely more effective. [2]
Incorporating this practice into your morning and evening routines, alongside oil pulling, toothbrushing, rinsing and flossing can provide a more thorough cleaning for your tongue. In this blog, we will be exploring what is a tongue scraper, the benefits of a tongue scraper, how to use a tongue scraper & more!
What Is A Tongue Scraper?
A tongue scraper is a simple yet effective oral hygiene tool, typically made of metal or plastic, designed to remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from your tongue. These tools come in various shapes, such as a loop-ended device or one resembling a pair of tongs. It effectively scrapes off any unwanted film on your tongue. While not a substitute for brushing and flossing, tongue scraping is a quick method to enhance tongue cleanliness and overall oral health when used alongside regular dental care routines.[1][3]
Benefits Of Tongue Scraper
Tongue scraping is an underrated yet essential practice that significantly benefits oral health. Here are six key benefits, each grounded in scientific research:
Improves Tongue Appearance
Regular use of a tongue scraper helps remove the white, coated layer of debris, enhancing the tongue's appearance and maintaining its cleanliness. [4]
Enhances Taste Sensitivity
Scraping your tongue twice daily can significantly enhance your ability to distinguish between tastes such as bitter, sour, sweet, and salty. This improvement in taste perception occurs by removing the buildup that dulls sensory cells. [4]
Reduces Bad Breath
Although tongue scraping does not replace brushing, a 2004 comparative study between toothbrushes and tongue scrapers showed that scraping is more effective than brushing alone in removing odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. [5]
Reduces Harmful Bacteria
Scraping twice daily over a period of seven days helped reduce bacteria like streptococci Mutans, which are associated with bad breath and dental decay. [1]
May Enhance Digestion
Tongue scraping activates enzymes in saliva that help break down food, potentially improving digestion from the outset. Although research on the direct effects of tongue scraping on digestion is limited, one study noted that four weeks of consistent tongue scraping improved digestive symptoms, suggesting a positive impact on overall digestive health. [6]
Promotes Overall Health
Studies have long established a link between oral health and overall well-being. Incorporating tongue scraping into your oral care routine can consistently reduce bacterial coatings and bad breath. This practice may in turn help prevent dental issues such as cavities and gum disease, thereby enhancing overall oral health. [7][8]
How To Use A Tongue Cleaner?
Tongue scraping is a quick and effective way to improve your oral hygiene. Here’s a simple guide to using a tongue scraper, which should take less than two minutes:
- Choose the Right Tongue Scraper: Look for tongue scrapers made of durable medical-grade metals like stainless steel or copper. These are available in various shapes, such as spoon-like or U-shaped designs, which are typically slightly rounded at the edges.
- Prepare for Scraping: Stand in front of a mirror, open your mouth, and extend your tongue to get a clear view.
- Position the Scraper: Place the rounded end of the scraper at the back of your tongue. If you are new to this and are concerned about your gag reflex then, start in the middle of your tongue and gradually move the scraper further back as you become more comfortable.
- Scrape Gently: Touch the scraper gently to your tongue and pull it forward towards the tip. Always move the scraper from the back to the front, never in reverse, to avoid pushing bacteria deeper into your mouth.
- Clean After Each Use: After each scrape, wash the scraper to remove debris. Repeat the scraping for the entire surface of your tongue; three or five gentle scrapes are usually sufficient.
- Wash and Store: Rinse the scraper with warm soapy water, or wash it in a dishwasher if it is dishwasher friendly. Dry it thoroughly, and store it in a clean, dry place.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove bacteria and debris from your tongue, which can lead to better breath and overall oral health. Repeat this process as needed throughout your day to maintain freshness.
Misconception About The Benefits Of Tongue Scraping
A common misconception is that tongue scraping alone can prevent bad breath all day. However, consistency is essential; scraping once in the morning is insufficient as bacteria rebuild with each meal. It's advisable to scrape twice a day alongside your regular tooth brushing. This habit helps mitigate long-term buildup associated with severe bad breath.
Additionally, there's a belief that using a toothbrush on the tongue is as effective as a scraper. Yet, a 2004 study found that scrapers are more effective, removing 30% more volatile sulfur compounds than a soft-bristled toothbrush. While brushing the tongue offers some benefits rather than not doing it at all, using a tongue scraper provides superior cleanliness. [9][5][4]
Ideal Oralcare Regimen For Optimal Oral Health
Tongue scraping alone may not significantly impact your overall oral health, but it is a valuable part of a comprehensive oral health regimen. GuruNanda recommends a seven-step routine to maintain optimal oral hygiene. You might wonder how to fit a comprehensive oral hygiene routine into your busy schedule, but it only takes 15-20 minutes a day. Investing this time in your oral health, which is closely linked to your overall health, is truly worthwhile. Here’s how GuruNanda makes it efficient and effective for you:
- Oil Pulling: An ancient Ayurvedic, pre-rinse holistic practice that significantly boosts oral hygiene with its numerous benefits. With GuruNanda's innovative oil-pulling products, the traditional 15-20 minute process is streamlined to just 2-10 minutes. This is achieved through specialized formulations enriched with essential oils and vitamins, clinically proven to freshen breath and whiten teeth.
- Brushing: Essential for daily hygiene, brushing twice a day with GuruNanda’s extra soft Butter On Gums™ toothbrush or their electric toothbrushes featuring a 2-minute quad timer ensures both effectiveness and optimal oral care.
- Tongue Scraping: Essential for removing bacteria and improving oral health, tongue scraping should be done during your tooth brushing routine to ensure maximum cleanliness.
- Flossing: To reach areas your toothbrush can't, GuruNanda’s floss picks are perfect for removing plaque. GuruNanda’s floss picks effectively target hard-to-reach areas, removing plaque and tartar buildup while breaking down debris. Designed for convenience and portability, they enhance oral cleanliness anywhere you go
- Water Flossing: GuruNanda’s portable water flossers offer multiple settings tailored to various needs, including sensitivity and orthodontics, ensuring thorough removal of leftover debris after manual flossing. The water stream effectively clears food debris and plaque from hard-to-reach areas, enhancing overall mouth cleanliness.
- Rinsing: Completing your oral care with a 1-minute rinse using GuruNanda mouthwash ensures that your breath stays fresh throughout the day.
- Whitening Strips: Achieve stunning cosmetic enhancements with GuruNanda’s Express & Professional Whitening Strips, designed to swiftly brighten your teeth and perfect your smile for any special occasion. These enamel-safe strips ensure safe and effective whitening results.
With these streamlined products and practices, maintaining top-notch oral hygiene is both manageable and effective, even for those with the fullest schedules.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tongue scraping is a crucial yet often overlooked component of oral hygiene. Tongue scraping provides numerous benefits, which include improved tongue appearance, enhanced taste sensitivity, and reduced bacteria and bad breath. By incorporating it alongside oil pulling, brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash as part of a comprehensive daily routine, you can significantly boost your oral health. This routine, streamlined with effective products from GuruNanda, takes only 15-20 minutes a day but can vastly improve your overall health. Remember, consistency is key in maintaining the benefits and preventing long-term issues, making each step an investment in your well-being.[4][9]
FAQs
Q: What does a tongue scraper do?
A: A tongue scraper effectively removes bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from your tongue, enhancing oral hygiene and improving taste sensation.[4]
Q: What is the proper technique for tongue scraping?
A: Start at the rear of your tongue and gently pull the scraper forward. Repeat as needed. Rinse the scraper after each use.
Q: How to clean a tongue scraper?
A: Rinse your tongue scraper with warm soapy water or submerge it in lemon water for a few minutes before rinsing it with normal water after each session, dry it thoroughly, and store it in a clean, dry area to maintain hygiene.
Q: What are the benefits of using a tongue scraper?
A: Regular use of a tongue scraper reduces bad breath, increases taste sensitivity, and decreases harmful bacterial buildup in the mouth.[4]
Q: Is a tongue scraper good for oral health?
A: Yes, incorporating a tongue scraper into your daily oral hygiene routine can significantly improve oral health by reducing bacteria and freshening your breath.[9]
Q: What are the before and after effects of using a tongue scraper?
A: Before scraping, the tongue may appear white and coated; after consistent use, it typically becomes cleaner and feels fresher, contributing to overall mouth cleanliness.[8]
[1]-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3066761/
[2]-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15191584/
[3]-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16032940/
[4]- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15341360/
[5]-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29458938/
[6]-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8525811/
[7]- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8751028/
[9]-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545166/#:~:text=Lacerations%20are%20a%20pattern%20of,tissues%20are%20cut%20or%20torn.
