With oral hygiene, most people focus on brushing and flossing their teeth, but what about the tongue? Your tongue hosts millions of bacteria contributing to bad breath and other oral health issues. Using tongue scrappers in your daily routine is one way to keep your tongue clean and healthy. Throughout this article, we’ll discuss what you should know about tongue scraping, its benefits, and how to do it properly. 

What You Should Know About Tongue Scraping

While most dentists always recommend brushing your tongue with your toothbrush, it’s often one of the most forgotten places for people when brushing their teeth. That’s why tongue-scraping is an option! Tongue scraping works by using a tool to remove bacteria and dead cells that accumulate along the tongue’s surface. It’s a simple, effective way to keep your tongue clean and fresh, and it comes with many benefits, including: 

• Fresher Breath: By removing the bacteria and debris from your mouth, tongue scraping can help your mouth feel fresh and smell better. 
• Better Tasting Food: Having a clean tongue can help improve your sense of taste, making food taste better. 
• Improved Oral Health: By removing the buildup along your tongue, a clean tongue can help prevent cavities and other oral health issues. 
• Promotes Better Overall Health: Studies have shown that tongue scraping may also contribute to your overall health, including reducing the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other health problems. 

Because of these wonderful benefits, tongue scraping can be an amazing addition to your oral health routine! So, how do you scrape your tongue? Here’s a step-by-step on the basics: 

• Choose The Right Tools: Always choose tools designed to scrape your tongue and approved by the ADA. Tongue scrapers such as Dr. Tung’s Tongue Cleaner are considered excellent options for cleaning your tongue as they can safely remove bacteria and dead cells without hurting your tongue.
• Position the Scraper: Hold the scraper in your hand and stick out your tongue. Afterward, place the curved edge of the scraper along the back of your tongue and gently drag it forward, pressing down slightly.  
• Rinse and Clean Scraper: After each scrape, rinse the scraper with warm water to remove any debris. 
• Repeat and Clean: Continue these steps until you’ve gotten the entire surface of your tongue; rinse it with warm water to clean it and store it in a dry place. Tongue scraping should be performed once a day, preferably in the morning, before brushing your teeth. This method will help remove any bacteria and debris that have accumulated overnight.

Visit Smile Solutions Today To Learn More Oral Health Tips

At Smile Solutions, we’re here to help you achieve optimal health. If you are interested in learning more about tongue scraping and whether it’s right for you, contact us today by calling (516) 872-8780 and visiting us in Garden City, South, NY. Under the care of Dr. Robert Berg, our team can help you care for your smile and keep it clean for life!