Tongue Scraping: Benefits for Oral Health & How to Do It Effectively

A tongue scraper can transform your oral care and improve bad breath and more! Tongue scraping is an ancient health trick and has become more common. Learn about tongue scraping and how it can help your oral care, tongue health and help your mouth feel clean and refreshed. A tongue scraper may be the next device to add to your oral care routine.

Tongue scraping uses a tool that scrapes your tongue to remove bacteria, debris and particles. Tongue scrapers are often made of metal yet can also be made of wood or plastic. Cleaning your tongue is a helpful addition to brushing and flossing and a tongue scraper can make the process easier. A tongue scraper cleans your tongue, and it removes excess debris on your tongue’s surface better than a toothbrush.

Tongue scraping is important because it cleans your tongue and can do more compared to a toothbrush.

Many people report an immediate feeling of enhanced cleanliness and a fresher mouth right after their first time using a tongue scraper.

Here are some benefits of tongue scraping:

• Removes bacteria

• Improves the color of your tongue

• Reduce bad breath

• Removes bacteria that can contribute to oral health issues

To do tongue scraping you first need to buy a tongue scraper. Then add tongue scraping to your oral routine and use it when you brush and floss daily. Your dentist or dental hygienist can advise you on the best ways to keep your tongue clean. Tips to use when tongue scraping:

• Use a tongue scraper first thing in the morning and notice what you scrape off. Then, brush and floss your teeth with your morning routine.

• Stick out your tongue and scrape your tongue gently from the back to the front two to three times.

• Clean your tongue scraper after every use and rinse it with water.

• At night, use your tongue scraper before brushing your teeth to loosen any buildup, which you can then clear away with brushing and rinsing.

• It may feel good to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.

Stick out your tongue and look at the color in the morning and before you use a tongue scraper. A healthy tongue is a pinkish color. Often, lifestyle, what you eat and oral care routines may change the color of your tongue. A tongue scraper can help your tongue health and overall oral hygiene. Notice after you do tongue scraping and check out the color of your tongue and how it feels in your mouth.

Before and after using a tongue scraper you will be able to see and feel the difference!

Tongue scraping has been around for a long time yet may not be commonly known. Tongue scraping has deep roots in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian system of medicine. Within this holistic practice, it is believed that cleaning the tongue removes a coating of toxins and bacteria (known as "ama"). In Ayurvedic tradition, removing this ama is thought to support digestive health and contribute to overall well-being.

Your tongue is responsible for a number of actions including eating and speaking. However, bacteria and food particles can get trapped on the tongue’s surface. This buildup can lead to bad breath and contribute to the formation of plaque, which can negatively impact gum and tooth health over time.

Complete your oral care routine with a little attention reserved for tongue cleaning:

• Use a Crest Fluoride Toothpaste: Brush with a toothpaste that’s formulated to target and neutralize plaque bacteria to further leave your mouth feeling refreshed and clean.

• Rinse with a Crest Mouthwash: Round out your oral care routine with antibacterial mouthwash to wash away any leftover food particles and plaque bacteria from the tongue.

• Brush 2X/day with an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush: An electric toothbrush removes more-plaque bacteria than a regular manual toothbrush for a cleaner, healthier mouth, Some Oral-B iO toothbrush models even feature a tongue cleaning mode to help you easily and quicky keep your tongue free of food particles and odor-causing bacteria.

• Pair It with an Oral-B iO Gentle Care Replacement Brush Head: Use a soft-bristled brush head to further remove bacteria and residue that may have accumulated on your tongue. Simply apply a little bit of pressure as you brush your tongue from back to front.

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking water daily can help support the flow of saliva which naturally cleanses the mouth by minimizing bacterial growth.

• Maintain a Well-Balanced Diet: Certain foods, such as those high in sugars and acids, leave your mouth more prone to bacterial growth. Consistent hydration, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help promote a healthier environment in the mouth.

When it comes to your oral health, it’s important not to forget about the tongue. Take the time to clean your tongue daily to help fight bad breath, reduce plaque buildup, and protect your overall oral hygiene.