Benefits of Tongue Scraping: A Guide to Better Oral Health
By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 24, 2024Click to rate this article!
[Total: 37 Avg: 3.2]
Get more insightful and
helpful tips to
treat Diabetes for FREE
Register to Avail the Offer
Send OTPBy continuing, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 24, 2024Table of Contents
We can’t ignore the impact of oral health on our general well-being. We may be able to boost our oral health with simple practices like tongue scraping. Despite the routine brushing and mouth rinsing, cleaning the tongue often gets side-stepped.
Let’s delve into why tongue scraping may be beneficial. We’ll discuss its history and its contribution to good oral health. You’ll also learn about the right way to scrape your tongue. Plus, we’ll discuss about possible risks and downsides. Lastly, we’ll share tips to better your overall oral hygiene and when to see a professional dentist. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Although it’s a quick and easy final step in your oral hygiene regimen, it may help your mouth feel really clean. I recommend you make an appointment to see your dentist if your tongue exhibits any visible signs of illness, such as white, black, or red discolouration, sores, or pain that lasts longer than two weeks.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Tongue scraping is an oral hygiene habit that swipes away bacteria, debris, and dead cells from the tongue. This practice traces its roots back to the old Indian health system of Ayurveda.
In Sanskrit, tongue scraping is ‘Jihwa Prakshalana.’ It’s a vital part of daily Ayurvedic health routine. The belief was that tongue cleaning aids in tossing out toxins and enhancing digestion.
For Ayurveda, oral health is key to general well-being. Ayurvedic texts mention tongue scraping as a toxin remover. As per Ayurveda, these toxins, or ‘ama,’ form on the tongue due to digestion. Since the tongue acts as a link to various inner organs, Ayurveda says that a clean tongue translates to overall wellness, good digestion, and balanced body energy.
Lately, tongue scraping is gaining traction in Western cultures. As people get to know about its possible benefits, more dentists suggest it as part of a full oral hygiene regimen.
It’s almost as if you have a completely new palate when you scrape off the surface of your tongue. The next time you cook something sweet or spicy, see whether you detect stronger flavour profiles!
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
There are plenty of upsides to daily tongue scraping. These are discussed below.
Tongue scraping is a small habit that may bring big changes to oral health.
Many types of bacteria call our mouths home. Some are good, some bad. Tongue scraping may help reduce harmful mouth bacteria. This may help reduce issues like rotting teeth and gum infections.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria. It gathers not just on your teeth, but on your tongue too. Scraping your tongue may tackle it in the bud.
A clean tongue may indicate healthy gums. By clearing out tongue bacteria, you’re also stopping them from causing gum disease and swelling.
Bad breath or halitosis is mostly due to bacteria build-up at the back of the tongue. So, scraping your tongue may help in keeping your breath fresh.
Using a tongue scraper twice a day may reduce malodourous sulfur compounds more than just brushing your tongue does.
Just brushing your tongue may remove some bacteria. However, tongue scraping may bring about a larger reduction in bad breath. Using a special tongue scraper does the job better than a toothbrush.
According to studies, tongue scraping may heighten taste sensations. It cleans away any build-up blocking your taste buds. For instance, after regular scraping, some noted a heightening of bitter and salty tastes.
Over time, tongue debris may obstruct taste buds. Scraping your tongue frees up your taste buds, letting them work their magic better.
If you ask Ayurveda followers, they’d say tongue scraping also boosts digestion and body energy.
According to Ayurvedic mavens, the tongue has strong links to various inner organs. So, scraping your tongue may indirectly massage these organs for balanced health and energy.
In Ayurveda, good digestion equals good health. Ayurveda believes that the mouth is the front door to our digestive tract. Tongue scraping removes toxins and stirs up saliva flow, possibly leading to better digestion all day long.
Ayurvedic wisdom suggests that good oral hygiene (like tongue scraping) may help keep our body’s energies on an even keel. This aligns with overall wellness.
Slipping tongue scraping into your daily oral care regimen is easy and won’t steal much of your time or effort.
The key to a good tongue cleaning session boils down to the right tongue scraper.
Plastic tongue scrapers are cheap and handy. Nevertheless, those made of stainless steel or copper win on durability, efficiency, and cleanability.
Tongue scrapers come in a range of sizes and shapes. You can pick one that you like and can comfortably use.
To avoid any hiccups, you need to use a tongue scraper the right way.
Aim to scrape your tongue once or twice a day, best done in the morning and evening. Make sure it’s after you’ve brushed and flossed but before your mouth rinse.
Place the scraper at the back of your tongue. Now, gently pull it up front. Be firm yet gentle not to cause any hurt or ache. After every stroke, rinse the scraper. Repeat until your tongue feels clean and free of any coating.
After each use, wash your tongue scraper with soap and warm water. Keep it in a clean, dry spot to keep it clean and keep bacteria at bay.
Although tongue scraping is deemed safe, you should be mindful of some potential risks and side effects.
Always make sure your tongue scraper is clean. Follow the right method to keep injury or infection at bay.
Be gentle with your tongue scraper so as not to nick or scratch your tongue. Too much force or a faulty scraper can lead to hurt and heighten infection risk.
Don’t forget to thoroughly clean your tongue scraper after each use. Store it in a clean, dry space to stop bacteria from thriving.
Stop if you feel any unease, pain, or see blood during tongue scraping. Consult a dental expert to see if this practice suits you.
Certain health issues like abnormal heart valves or pacemakers call for extra care. Please discuss with your healthcare provider before you start using a tongue scraper. Some studies hint at a link between tongue scraping and a higher risk of endocarditis.
If tongue scraping brings on sensitivity or pain, stop immediately. Talk to a dentist to plan out the best oral hygiene routine for you.
Tongue scraping adds value to your oral hygiene routine, but other strategies too demand your attention.
Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once-a-day to clear out plaque and food bits stuck between teeth and gums.
A mouthwash suggested by your dentist may take care of bacteria, freshen up breath and fight off plaque formation.
Being well-hydrated aids overall health and oral hygiene. It helps create saliva that washes away food bits and bacteria.
Have a balanced diet that cuts back on sweet foods and drinks. This way, you may steer clear of tooth decay and gum disease.
Regular dental checkups and cleanings are vital for good oral health. You may prevent potential issues from getting worse.
Tongue scraping brings multiple potential benefits, but knowing when to seek professional advice is as critical.
Regular dental check-ups are key to maintaining good oral health and addressing any problems that tongue scraping can’t fix.
Feel free to visit a dental expert if bad breath, discomfort, or other oral health problems persist despite regular tongue scraping.
For injuries, severe pain, or other dental emergencies, hurry to a dental expert or visit an emergency room without delay.
Tongue scraping can be a boon if you add it to your daily oral hygiene regimen. By removing bacteria, debris, and toxins, it may boost oral health, freshen up breath, and enhance taste sensation.
Remember to be mindful of potential risks and downsides. Know when it’s time to see a dental expert. With healthy oral habits like brushing, flossing, regular dental checks, and tongue scraping, you may step up your oral health and overall well-being.
You should aim to scrape your tongue once or twice daily, ideally in the morning and evening after brushing and flossing.
Nope, think of tongue scraping as an add-on to your oral hygiene routine, not as a substitute for brushing and flossing.
You can choose from plastic, stainless steel, and copper tongue scrapers. The last two types tend to be more long-lasting and easy to clean.
You may note fresher breath, a cleaner mouth-feel, and a sharper sense of taste right after adding tongue scraping to your daily routine.
Limited science research is available on this. However, Ayurveda practitioners claim that tongue scraping aids digestion by tossing out toxins and stirring up saliva flow which aids digestion. But, these claims are yet to be fully backed by research.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Comments