What Is Tongue Scraping?
Tongue scraping is one of the most famous ancient techniques that is used to support oral hygiene. The practice has been backed by several studies as one of the most efficient methods when it comes to oral health.
Tongue scraping involves scraping the tongue before brushing the teeth. Studies on tongue scraping have shown that the practice results in reduced undesirable bacterial organisms that reside in the mouth. As a result, infections of the gum, teeth, and other structures are prevented.
Tongue scraping has been shown to reduce bad breath due to reduced volatile sulfur compounds which are by-products of the bacterial organisms that reside in the mouth. The technique helps in enhancing taste sensation due to reduced tongue coating.
The environment of the mouth is also changed to reduce putrefaction and reduced bacterial load. The most famous tongue scrapers according to the Ayurvedic texts include copper, silver, brass, tin, and gold.
Copper is a preferable tongue scraper due to its toxicity to the harmful bacteria that is present in the mouth. Copper also supplies the good bacteria in the mouth with essential enzymes that are needed for survival by the healthy microbes.
How To Scrape Your Tongue Properly
It is advisable to scrape the tongue in the morning right after waking up. Scraping the tongue followed by a glass of water can help in getting rid of toxins that tend to accumulate in the mouth.
A U-shaped tongue scraper should be used to reach the back of the tongue while the tongue is relaxed. The tongue should then be scraped from the back to front. The process should be repeated for five to ten times, and the scraper should be rinsed after every pass.
Tongue scraping should be followed with brushing using a non-fluoride toothpaste. Flossing and a large glass of water should then follow.
Oil pulling can also be performed to complete the Ayurvedic oral hygiene routine. However, this may require another round of brushing.
You should get used to the habit if scraping your tongue before each brushing. The routine of scraping the tongue every morning provides numerous health benefits to the oral cavity.
Reasons You Should Use A Tongue Scraper
1. For Oral Hygiene And Fresh Breath
The most popular reason for tongue scraping among many individuals is to attain better oral hygiene and fresh breath. Studies have shown that bad breath, also known as halitosis, has detrimental impacts on an individual's life.
Research has shown that most halitosis cases are caused by the metabolic products of bacteria that reside in the mouth. The naturally occurring bacteria live on the back of the tongue.
The back of the tongue provides a conducive environment for the anaerobic bacterial growth because it is least disturbed by the regular activities in the mouth and it harbors substances such as food remnants which act as food for the bacterial organisms. It also has dead epithelial cells and postnasal drip on which the organisms feed.
The tongue scraping technique is a good practice that can help to keep oral bacteria in check, preventing their ability to cause havoc. A tongue scraper will help to dislodge the food remnants and bacteria from the back of the mouth.
It is one of the most effective ways of combating the unwanted tongue bacteria. Clinical studies have revealed that a regular tongue scraping practice helps in reducing anaerobic bacteria that is responsible for poor oral hygiene and bad breath.
2. Enhanced Digestion, Taste, and Health of the Internal Organs
Besides oral hygiene and fresh breath, tongue scraping provides other benefits, such as proper digestion. Enhancement of the digestion process ensures that the food taken daily gets broken down to provide nutrients that are needed to nourish tissues.
A healthy digestion process also protects the body from an accumulation of toxins and other waste products. According to scientists, cleansing the tongue boosts the sense of taste. Since taste is the initial step of the digestion process, its enhancement supports the entire digestion process.
The tongue is also related to various organs in the body, including the lungs, the stomach, mouth, kidneys, liver, and the intestines. A coating occurring on the tongue is an impediment to a healthy digestion process.
Tongue scraping gets rid of the toxins from the tongue, and in the process, it stimulates and cleanses the associated organs in the body.
3. To Keep the Gums Healthy
In most cases, the buildup of a plaque in the oral cavity is linked to gum diseases and inflammation of the gums. The plaque may be comprised of different types of bacterial organisms. Some of the organisms are related to gum diseases.
Tongue scraping has been shown to lower the incidence of gum diseases and inflammation by reducing the bacterial organisms that are associated with the plaque formation.
4. Reduced Incidences of Respiratory Disorders
According to studies on the oral cavity, accumulation of toxins in the mouth may end up in the lungs.
Bacteria that resides in the oral cavity have been linked to various respiratory disorders including pneumonia and bronchitis. Tongue scraping helps to lower the risks that are associated with respiratory diseases.
5. Enhanced Cardiovascular Health
Studies have revealed the connection between the cardiovascular system and the oral cavity. According to these studies, most of the bacteria that cause gum infections, are also associated with the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries of the heart.
Top Tongue Scraping Products
1. Health And Yoga Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner Scraper
This product is FDA approved and it comprises of non-toxic and sterilizable stainless steel. The scraper is made of a heavy and thick gauge to ensure smoothness on the tongue without causing any discomfort.
The product is indicated for plaque removal, removal of bad breath, and restoration of oral hygiene. It has an overall rating of 4.8 out of a possible five stars, and it is sold at $7.45 on Amazon.
2. HealthMax Copper Tongue Cleaner
The product is made of purely natural antiseptic copper. It is flexible enough to ensure comfort to the user. It is used to get rid of the bacteria that is responsible for bad breath and gum diseases. The product has a full rating of five stars on Amazon.
Tongue Scraping Conclusion
Tongue scraping can help in the removal of any level of coating of the tongue. Regular scraping of the tongue results in better oral hygiene and a reduction in bad bacteria. Once the tongue has attained its normal coating, it is advisable to keep scraping for preventive measures.
