Tongue Scraping: A Simple Addition to Your Oral Routine
Tongue scraping is a simple oral hygiene practice that involves using a tool to remove debris, bacteria, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. This practice has roots in Ayurvedic traditions and is gaining popularity for its potential health benefits.
Benefits of Tongue Scraping:
Improves Digestion: Scraping your tongue first thing in the morning helps your body activate digestive enzymes. Removing bad bacteria from the tongue allows saliva-containing enzymes to function optimally. We recommend you do it first thing in the morning before you eat or drink.
Improves Oral Hygiene: Tongue scraping helps remove bacteria and food particles that can accumulate on your tongue, reducing the risk of bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Enhances Sense of Taste: Regular tongue scraping can improve your sense of taste by removing the buildup that can dull your taste buds. This allows you to better enjoy the flavors of your food.
Reduces Bad Breath: By removing odor-causing bacteria and debris, tongue scraping can help keep your breath fresh. It's more effective than brushing alone in reducing bad breath.
Promotes Overall Health: Good oral hygiene is linked to overall health. By reducing harmful bacteria in your mouth, tongue scraping can help prevent conditions like cavities and gum disease, which are associated with other health issues such as heart disease.
Improves Appearance of the Tongue: Regular scraping can help remove the white coating that often forms on the tongue, giving it a healthier appearance.
How to Perform Tongue Scraping:
Choose a Scraper: We recommend a stainless steel option like this one.
Scrape Gently: Place the scraper at the back of your tongue and gently pull it forward. Rinse the scraper and repeat a few times, covering the entire surface of your tongue.
Rinse Your Mouth: After scraping, rinse your mouth with water to remove any remaining debris.
Tongue Scraping FAQ:
Can My Kids Tongue Scrape?
YES! All the benefits of tongue scraping apply to children, and we recommend it as a regular practice to keep them healthy! Some studies suggest it may even help reduce tummy aches.
Can I Brush My Tongue with My Toothbrush and Get The Same Results?
While using your toothbrush to clean your tongue is helpful, it does not hold quite as many benefits as tongue scraping. The National Library of Medicine conducted a study that found tongue scraping can reduce bacteria by 75%, while a toothbrush only reduces bacteria by 45%.
Incorporating tongue scraping into your daily oral hygiene routine can offer numerous benefits, from fresher breath to improved digestion. It's a simple, quick practice that can make a big difference in your oral care regimen.
