Chances are, you know the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth each day. But did you know that tongue scraping also plays an important role in your at-home dental routine?
It’s a quick and painless way to remove extra particles from your tongue. A tongue scraper is a small, slightly rounded tool made of plastic or metal. A quick search on Amazon will return numerous options under 10 dollars!
To perform tongue scraping, simply follow the steps below:
The process only takes a minute or so. If you don’t want to add this extra step to your dental routine, remember that cleaning your tongue with a toothbrush is better than not cleaning at all!
Research suggests that using a tongue scraper twice daily may enhance your sense of taste. Specifically, your tongue will be better able to identify sweet, salt, sour, and bitter flavors.
Researchers discovered that using a tongue scraper twice a day for seven days in a row reduces the occurrence of Mutant streptococci and Lactobacilli bacteria in the mouth, both known to cause bad breath and tooth decay. In fact, tongue scraping is more effective than brushing when it comes to these odor-causing bacteria!
It’s important to note, though, that tongue scraping doesn’t offer extended benefits when it comes to better breath. For instance, using a tongue scraper in the morning won’t prevent you from developing bad breath as you eat and drink throughout the day. Rather, consistency is key to keep these bacteria away. If you’re worried about your breath, you may want to consider scraping after each snack or meal.
Excess build-up may cause your tongue to take on a white, coated appearance. Daily scraping can help remove it and keep it from developing again.
Removing excess bacteria in the mouth plays a key role in the prevention of cavities and gum disease. You may choose to clean your tongue with your toothbrush, but it’s not as effective as a tongue scraper. One study found that tongue scrapers removed 30 percent more volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue’s surface than a soft-bristled toothbrush.
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