In the wide-ranging world of oral hygiene, certain old methods have actually proved their efficiency and are still accepted by the current generations. Among the rituals, passed to us from ancient times, is the tongue scraper, which, undoubtedly, contributes not only to oral health but also to good well-being in general.
Profound Enriched with the wisdom of ancient Ayurveda and now being incorporated into modern dentistry as well, mouth scraping provides a simple and powerful resolution to the common problems of oral hygiene. Let’s dig into the interesting aspects of tongue scraping and the stunning effects it has on your oral health and life in general.
The Origins of Tongue Scraping
Tongue Scraper originated from the classical Indian system of medicine Ayurveda which is over three thousand years old. The Ayurvedic practice of tongue scraping in Sanskrit is called “jihwa prakshalana”. Its goal is to cleanse the body of toxins, enhance digestion, and increase overall wellbeing.
According to Ayurveda, the tongue is a mirror image of the health of the internal organs. In the past, it was said that the whitening of the tongue is an indication of the presence of toxins and imbalances in the body. Therefore, the application of the tongue scrapers was not just limited to the mouth hygiene but it was also for the whole body health.
Jihwa prakshalana was based on the concept that the tongue has connections to various bodily systems and organs through energy channels called nadis. Through this scraping process, practitioners sought to remove the toxic buildups as well stimulate the energy channels, and in this way, bring balance and harmony within the body. Moreover, Ayurvedic texts claim that tongue scraping will increase Agni’s power, which is the name of the digestive fire in the body. This results in better digestion, proper absorption of nutrients as well as body vitality.
Apart from the physical side of it, the spiritual significance of this ancient practice was not omitted too. In Ayurveda, the mouth is known as the door where the body and the mind meet. Hence, having proper oral hygiene with regular use of a tongue scraper was essential not only for the body but also for the mind and soul purifying.
With the growth of Ayurveda beyond the Indian subcontinent, scraping the mouth was no longer a local tradition but also became a practice part of different cultures. Such a wisdom currently, also appears more and more educating about the role of mouth scraping in digestion, and overall health. While modern science has provided new perspectives on the positive effects of tongue scraping, its ancient origins remind us of the wisdom that had been preserved and that was found in old healing methods.
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How Tongue Scraping Works?
The tongue scraping is really simple and effective. It is based on physical removal of the debris and bacteria from the surface of the tongue. A tongue scraper is a handheld tool made of metal, copper, stainless steel or plastic which is designed to meet this purpose.
Scraping the tongue begins with holding the tool in both hands and slowly drawing the device forward from the furthest part of the tongue to the front. This scraping movement is not only able to dislodge the particles but also the residue food, bacteria, dead cells, and other materials that build and accumulate during the night or daylong hours. During the tongue scraping process gentleness is critical otherwise you may end up causing discomfort or irritation to your tongue.
The scraping not only cleans the visible debris but also extends into the microscopic crevices and folds of the tongue surface, where bacteria have an opportunity to flourish. Through scraping off the microbes on the tongue, we decrease the amount of bacterial load in the mouth, which in turn reduces the risk of various oral health issues such as plaque formation, decaying of the teeth and gum disease.
Moreover, tongue scraping significantly helps the fight against bad breath (halitosis) which is usually caused by the growth of bacteria and the decaying of food particles on the surface of the tongue. Through this process of eliminating the odor-making elements, tongue scraping becomes a permanent remedy for fresher breath, which in turn boosts a person’s confidence and interactions with other people.
It is common for the majority of people to scrape their tongues in the morning but it is a good practice to do so right after meals as it helps to maintain fresh breath and oral hygiene throughout the day.
Benefits of Tongue Scraping
While exploring the oral hygiene world, it is necessary to discover the hidden boons that could greatly influence the health of our teeth. The ancient wisdom embodied in tongue scraping is just one of these boons. It dates back centuries but it has a significant role to play in the present day’s oral care regimen.
Scraping tongue has way more benefits than simply fresh breath. They include a cleaner mouth, better taste perception and improved overall well-being. This part is devoted to uncovering a variety of tongue scraping benefits and making it clear why this simple but very effective practice should have the prime place in your daily mouth cleaning routine.
- Improved Oral Hygiene: Through the removal of bacteria and debris, tongue scraping works with brushing and flossing to ensure that teeth and gums are cleaner.
- Fresher Breath: Most of the bad breaths are a result of the bacteria that settle on the tongue. By using a tongue scraper this odorous source will be completely removed, thus you will have fresher breath all day long.
- Enhanced Taste Sensation: A clean tongue ensures the proper functioning of taste buds which translates to an enhanced taste sensation and extra pleasure in food eating.
- Promotion of Digestive Health: Ayurveda explains that tongue scraping leads to stimulation of digestive organs so, better digestion and nutrient absorption take place.
- Overall Well-Being: The health of the oral cavity also relates to overall health. When bacteria in the mouth are lessened by tongue scraping this may help us to have a healthier immune system and lower risk of systemic diseases.
How to use a tongue scraper?
Incorporating tongue scraping into your daily oral hygiene routine is simple and takes only a few minutes. Follow these steps:
- Choose a high-quality tongue scraper made of stainless steel or copper for optimal effectiveness and durability.
- Hold the scraper with both hands and gently scrape the surface of your tongue from back to front, rinsing the scraper between each pass.
- Repeat the scraping motion 5-10 times, ensuring you cover the entire surface of the tongue.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after scraping.
- For best results, scrape your tongue first thing in the morning before brushing your teeth, and optionally repeat the process before bed.
Potential Side Effects of Tongue Scraping
Although some people who practice tongue scraping believe that is harmless and beneficial as long as it is done the right way, it is however necessary to remember that it could cause side-effects, especially when it is done too vigorously or performed incorrectly.
Potential side effects of tongue scraping include:
- Tongue irritation.
- Soreness.
- Tongue tissue minor injuries.
- Exacerbation of oral diseases such as oral thrush or mouth ulcers.
- Introduction of harmful bacteria into the mouth when using low-quality tongue scrapers. Or by unhygienic tongue scrapers.
- Triggering the Gag Reflex.
A Guide to the Best Tongue Scrapers
If you are looking to achieve perfect oral hygiene, your choice of a quality tongue scraper can be what makes it all happen. While there are numerous brands competing to catch users’ eyes, it is necessary to know which one is the top quality brand.
In this part, we look deep into some well-known brands of tongue scrapers, praised all over for high quality, efficiency and innovation. From classy stainless steel designs to modern ideas that involve revolutionary cleaning tools, these brands offer a perfect combination of many ways to clean your tongue to have the best scraping experience. Join us as we explore the features, benefits, and unique qualities of these leading brands, empowering you to make an informed choice for your oral care needs.
Dr. Tung’s
Dr. Tung’s, which is the world’s popular tongue scraper brand, is the most trusted for quality and innovation. Their tongue cleaners are moulded from high-grade stainless steel, custom designed to last and get the bacteria and deposits off the top layer of the tongue.
Dr. Tung’s unique selling points lie in their concentrated attention to features involving a curved, ergonomic design, and a larger scraping area. The former ensures the product’s ease of use while the latter guarantees better cleaning.
Moreover, Dr. Tung includes copper coated tongue scrapers whereas copper is believed to act as an antibacterial agent, making the mouth healthy and clean. Today, Dr. Tung’s tongue scrapers are most favorite among people who regard oral care as a lifestyle and search for quality and effectiveness.
Orabrush
Orabrush has been applauded for its advanced strategy of oral hygiene that goes beyond regular cleaning. The headline of their products is a tongue cleaner Orabrush with ultra-soft bristles that are micro-pointed and able to thoroughly clear the bacteria and odor-causing debris from the deepest folds of the tongue’s surface.
The differentiating factor of Orabrush is that it has bacteria-fighting compounds incorporated in the bristles which provide an extra protection layer especially from Oral bacteria. What especially intensifies the quality of the Orabrush tongue cleaner is its foam, developed to maximize its effects during the cleaning process and to give you a sense of freshness.
With its user-friendly design and focus on proper cleaning, Orabrush has quickly become the number-one brand for individuals seeking a modern and thorough tongue scraping system.
HealthAndYoga
A tongue scraper from the Health And Yoga’s line of holistic wellness products is a quintessential representation of quality and authenticity. The tongue cleaners that they make are engineered out of pure copper since copper has natural antibacterial properties, so it ensures good oral cleanliness.
HealthAndYoga tongue scrapers`s U-shaped traditional design is very convenient for cleaning the tongue`s surface effectively against plaque, bacteria, debris, and toxins. HealthAndYoga brand set itself apart from competitors by offering copper tongue scrapers as an eco-friendly and recyclable option.
Furthermore, HealthAndYoga offers a comprehensive guide on the correct tongue scraping techniques and outlines the advantages of integrating this ancient procedure into contemporary oral hygiene habits. Bringing together the ideals of purity, efficacy, and environmental responsibility, HealthAndYoga has built a strong client base of health-conscious consumers searching for natural alternatives to regular oral hygiene.
How often should you use a tongue scraper?
How often you should scrape your tongue is usually based on your preferences and how good your oral hygiene is. But the experts’ advice is to scrape the tongue at least once a day, and ideally in the morning before brushing your teeth. This provides an opportunity to take out accumulated bacteria, debris, and plaque which have been built overnight which causes bad breath and oral health issues.
Some people may prefer to scrub their tongue numerous times per day, especially soon after every meal, to ensure continuous oral freshness and cleanliness. Eventually, the thing is to use tongue scraping in your every day oral care routines to reap its benefits consistently.
What type of tongue scraper is best?
The right tongue scraper for each person depends on their preferences, comfort levels and efficiency. Primarily they are constructed of stainless steel, copper and plastic, and they are simple in their design with a curved surface used for scraping.
The fact that stainless steel and copper tong scrapers are easier to clean and their durability along with antibacterial properties are what make them more preferred options. Plastic tong scrapers may be less expensive and lighter, but possibly, less effective as well.
Some of the newest tongue scrapers have groundbreaking designs like the ones that use soft silicon bristles or built-in cleaning agents, which are options for people who want better cleaning or more gentle scraping.
The key point is that the tongue scraper should not be the most expensive or the fanciest one but the one that you use daily without any tongue irritation or discomfort.
References
- Choi, H. N., Cho, Y. S., & Koo, J. W. (2021). The Effect of Mechanical Tongue Cleaning on Oral Malodor and Tongue Coating. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010108
- Manchanda, D. A. (2023, November 30). Benefits of Tongue Scraping: A Guide to Better Oral Health. PharmEasy Blog. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/benefits-of-tongue-scraping-a-guide-to-better-oral-health/
- Is Scraping Your Tongue Safe? (n.d.). MedicineNet. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://www.medicinenet.com/is_scraping_your_tongue_safe/article.htm#is_it_bad_to_scrape_your_tongue
- Art of Living Retreat Center. (2020, August 22). The Art of Living Retreat Center. https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/ayurveda-101-the-benefits-of-tongue-scraping/