Tongue Taming: Scrape Your Way to a Fresher Mouth

CLINICAL CONTENT WRITTEN & REVIEWED BY CLOVE CLINICAL TEAM

Last Modified: July 29, 2024

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Tongue Scrapers and Cleaners: A Fresh Take on Oral Hygiene
Oral Care Basics
How to Properly use Togue Scraping

Tongue Scrapers and Cleaners: A Fresh Take on Oral Hygiene

Ever felt weird about that fuzzy growth-like feeling on your tongue? Debris, bacteria, and dead cells can build up on your tongue over time. If not cleaned, it can lead to bad breath and negatively impact your overall health.

Tongue scrapers can help with that. These instruments assist in clearing the debris that accumulates on your tongue. The result is a cleaner mouth and a breath of fresh air.

Tongue scrapers come in all sizes and shapes, but they always have the same function. As you gain knowledge as you proceed, you steadily work your way forward from the rear of your tongue. While some people like using a toothbrush to clean their tongue, research indicates that utilising specialty scrapers is a more efficient method.

Now, let’s clear up a common misconception. While tongue cleaning can make your mouth feel fresher, it’s not a magic solution for bad breath. Halitosis is a complex issue, and bacteria can regrow quickly. So, don’t expect miracles, but do enjoy that clean tongue sensation if it appeals to you.

Oral Care Basics:

Incorporating tongue scraping into your routine is a personal choice. It’s not essential for everyone, but it can be a nice extra step for those who enjoy a thorough clean. Remember, though, it’s no substitute for the oral care basics:

1. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
2. Clean between teeth daily (hello, floss!)
3. Eat a balanced diet, going easy on sugary snacks and drinks
4. Regular dental check-ups are a must

How to Properly use Togue Scraping

If you decide to give tongue scraping a go, here’s a quick how-to:

1. Stick out your tongue
2. Place the scraper at the back of your tongue
3. Gently pull forward
4. Rinse the scraper
5. Repeat until you’ve covered your entire tongue

Remember, gentle is the key word here. You’re aiming for clean, not sore!

The most important thing is prioritizing good dental hygiene. And when you prioritize dental hygiene, scraping your tongue essentially tags along on the journey. Thus, remember to smile, brush, and floss—your dentist will appreciate it!