Do I Need to Clean My Tongue Every Day?
You can floss, brush your teeth in the morning and evening, have your teeth cleaned twice a year, and use your mouthwash at the right time . Do you still scratch your tongue? If not, you can add this step to your routine to take your oral hygiene to the next level.
What is a tongue scraping?
Although tongue scraping is a relative newcomer to Western dental care, it has been practiced in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) for centuries. It is the practice of running a simple U-shaped plastic or metal instrument over the tongue ” to remove bacteria, food particles, and other debris from the surface .” Although, as noted by dentist Dr. Jordan Davis , “tongue cleaning is a practice that is not much discussed or appreciated in the [American] dental community,” tongue hygiene has many benefits.
Is it better than brushing your tongue?
While brushing your tongue is better than not brushing your tongue, the scraper is designed to penetrate the hundreds of tiny bumps or “papillae” that cover its surface to find dead cells, stuck debris, and bacteria lurking in the crevices.
According to dental hygienist Whitney DiFoggio , “tongue scraping is much better at removing food particles from the tongue than brushing. The benefits of tongue scraping are obvious. And it’s very noticeable.” (So noticeable, she warns, that we might be “shocked or outraged” the first time we use it.)
Registered dental hygienist Tenika Patterson of the Cleveland Clinic echoed this sentiment. “Cleaning is okay, but think of it this way: if your carpet is dirty and you clean it, the dirt will soak into it. But if you scrape it off, it immediately comes off the surface.”
What are the benefits of tongue scraping?
- Reduce bad breath : DiFoggio notes on his website TeethTalkGirl , “These small, finger-like projections [papillae] are known to contain up to 90% of the bacteria that cause bad breath.”
- Improved Taste Sensation : One study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that tongue scraping for two weeks “improves taste sensation” by allowing your taste buds to better distinguish flavors.
- Remove harmful bacteria. This study , published in the National Library of Medicine, found that tongue scraping twice a day for 7 days caused a “significant reduction” in Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli, bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath.
- Improving the general condition of the oral cavity . According to the Cleveland Clinic , while your tongue contains beneficial bacteria, some of the bacteria left over from brushing your teeth is harmful and contributes to “tooth decay and gum infections.” Scraping the tongue can minimize long-term exposure to bacteria that can cause inflammation of the gums and cause cavities.
How to use a tongue scraper?
If used incorrectly, a tongue scraper can be ineffective or even painful. With your tongue out, place the scraper as far back as possible without causing a gag reflex. Swipe the tongue scraper from back to front with moderate force – do not scratch too hard. Rinse the scraper and repeat the procedure 2-3 more times – once a day – for optimal results.