Dating back to ancient times, tongue scraping is an easy way to help maintain your oral health and cleanliness.
So you brush, you floss, visit a dentist twice a year, and keep a good diet with plenty of water. What else can you do to improve your oral hygiene? Avoiding acidic foods like coffee, not smoking, and making sure you don’t brush too hard are all good steps. A lesser-known way to keep your breath fresh and to maintain good oral health is tongue scraping. This ancient practice has endured thanks to its simplicity and its efficacy. The origin of tongue scraping is in ancient Indian Ayurveda. Ayurveda means: “the science of life,” and dates back over 5000 years. It has many parallels with the study of the body found in Yoga.
Why is tongue scraping a good idea?
Your tongue is a fleshy collection of muscles that helps with speaking, swallowing, chewing, and of course, tasting food. It’s a useful, and necessary organ, so why not take a few extra seconds out of your day to take care of it?
It helps prevent bad breath
Scraping the tongue removes the bacteria that build up on its surface. Most of the bacteria that accumulate on the tongue are good ones — they are natural, produced by the body, and pose no threat to your health. However, other microorganisms tag along for the ride too.
You know what sulfur smells like, right? The answer is something like rotting eggs. One of the less-than-good chemicals that build up on the tongue are called VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds). These are exactly what you think they are, and they lead to bad breath.
Besides VSCs, tongue scraping removes other bacteria that process food and sugars, without scraping, their byproducts would also wind up on the tongue, in the mouth, and in the saliva.
Remember, when it comes to reducing bad breath with scraping, be consistent; once a week isn’t good enough, do it once or twice a day.
It improves oral health
Having less bacteria build-up in the saliva means that the mouth is more thoroughly lubricated. More watery saliva helps wash away other mouth bacteria that can cause plaque and gingivitis. Studies have also shown that having a large accumulation of volatile sulfur compounds also increases the risk of injury to the esophagus and stomach.
There are many bacteria that can accumulate in the mouth. As we mentioned before, most are beneficial or harmless, some though, can cause systemic disease when they enter the bloodstream, these bacteria can worsen the health in various different ways, notably by causing or exacerbating cardiovascular disease.
It makes the tongue look better
You may have looked in the mirror and seen a white or yellowish coating on your tongue. Regular scraping can remove it, and keep it from coming back.
Your sense of taste can improve
One tongue scraping study concluded that the tongue became more sensitive to taste. Removing the accumulated debris on the tongue frees up more space for the taste buds to do their thing.
How to scrape your tongue
First, get the right tool
First you will have to get the right apparatus to do it with. Check your favorite search engine for “tongue scrapers” and you will find plenty of different products. There are many plastic varieties, as well as steel and copper ones. Most of them have a U shape, with small loops at each end. Many of the plastic scrapers are shaped like a flat cone or triangle at the end of a toothbrush-like stick.
Follow these steps:
- Stand in front of a mirror with your mouth open.
- Holding the scraper loops in each hand, or the handle in one, move the U-shaped part to the farthest-back part of your tongue. If that gives you a gag reflex, then don’t push it as far back.
- Gently press the scraper to your tongue and move it forward. If the pressure gives you pain, press more lightly. It shouldn’t hurt or cause any damage.
- Rinse the scraper off with water, or use tissue or a cloth to remove debris collected from the tongue.
- Repeat until you have covered the whole tongue several times. Sometimes two will do, sometimes five. Do what it takes to clean without causing discomfort or injury.
- Gargle/rinse/swish out the mouth with water.
- Clean off the scraper and store it somewhere dry.
It’s good to add this process to your oral health regiment. Do it after you have brushed and flossed once or twice a day.
Is there anything you need to worry about?
If you are noticing pain or bleeding after the routine, take a break from it or press less hard. Damage to the scraper could also hurt the tongue. Don’t forget to check the scraper regularly for sharp edges, damage, rust (if it’s metal), or mildew/mold (if it’s plastic).
Tongue scraping is NOT a replacement for dental treatment
Scraping the tongue is a nice way to clean out the mouth and reduce bad breath. It is not intended to obviate dental treatment. It won’t cure any oral diseases, and it is not a substitute for brushing or flossing. If you have a dental emergency, be sure to visit your dentist!
Curious about more non-traditional ways to take care of your oral health?
At Josey Lane Dentistry we want a big, healthy smile to be part of your daily habit. Our experienced team offers comprehensive examinations, cleanings, x-rays, surgery, extractions, and much more. We also are happy to give you advice about how best to care for your mouth. If you are in the Carrollton Texas area, drop by or get in contact with us today.
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