Did you know that the majority of your oral bacteria live and flourish on your tongue? Well, it’s true and it explains why tongue scraping is a simple but important element of regular mouthcare. Scraping is easily accomplished with an inexpensive tool you can pick up from any drugstore. (If you don’t want to spring for a scraper, you can use the edge of a spoon.)
If you already brush your tongue during your daily oral hygiene routine and think it’s enough, you will probably be surprised to learn that while brushing minimizes bacteria, gently scraping the tongue removes many more microbes. An added bonus is tongue scraping is quick, usually taking even less time than flossing.
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- Dental research has concluded that a tongue scraper is more effective at removing toxins and bacteria from the tongue than a toothbrush. Although brushing and flossing will loosen and move debris around, they do not actually remove the bacteria. Almost half of our oral bacteria live on and in the deep crevices of our tongue; the scraping action of a tongue scraper collects these toxic tongue coatings (which can range in color from clear, white, yellow, or green) and removes them from the body.
- When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system. Discover more from Mind Body Green
Don’t Allow Your Taste To Waste
Along with various age-related issues and taking certain medications, some germs can cause individuals to lose their sense of taste. Breathing, speaking and eating and drinking expose our mouths to a myriad of microbes all day long. One of the key benefits of daily tongue scraping is that many individuals find that their food tastes much better. Some notice an immediate change, while it takes a week or two of daily scraping for others. Learn more about the connection between taste and tongue scraping below:
My Taste Buds Got A Makeover
Before I started tongue scraping, Gillmore assured me that food would actually taste better. The idea is that, if you clean your taste buds, they will work better. Some experts even claim it can curb your appetite, since food tastes more satisfying. Now, I can’t say I lost any weight or ate less overall, but my food satisfaction did soar. All of a sudden strawberries tasted sweeter, dark chocolate richer, and sea salt saltier. Was it all in my head? Maybe, but a study in Journal of Clinical Periodontology did find that taste sensations improved after just two weeks of tongue scraping. Read more at Rodale’s Organic Life
Regular Dental Checkups at ADOB Are Essential For Your Glowing Grin!
A core mission of Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne is educating our patients to help them make the most of their at-home care. We love it when we see improvements in our patients’ oral health routines because it means we’re meeting our goal. If you want to take your mouthcare to an entirely new level, removing tongue bacteria is a phenomenal place to start. It’s a great way to improve your breath too. Just remember that each person in your home should have their own designated tongue scraper. It is essential not to share oral hygiene items such as toothbrushes and scrapers to avoid transferring bacteria.
If you’re still on the fence about adding scraping to your daily routine, these personal accounts make a persuasive case:
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Tongue Scraping? Sounds Painful…
It’s not. It is a quick, simple and extremely inexpensive practice (all you need is a $7 tongue cleaner!) that reaps many benefits. I call tongue scraping the “unsung hero of oral health.” I have been enthusiastically tongue scraping for years now, and I don’t see how anyone could try tongue scraping once, see the gunk you remove from your tongue, and not become an enthusiast as well. I therefore urge you to go out and start scraping today.
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How About a Professional Opinion?
Kim Shamoun, a veteran registered dental hygienist and fellow tongue scraping zealot, says, “I can’t live without tongue scraping. Without a doubt, it should be a part of our daily oral hygiene regimen. I stress to my patients, friends, family and strangers alike how important it really is. A tongue scraper is the one thing I would want with me on a deserted island…forget the lipstick!” Read more details from the Huffington Post that may inspire you to add tongue scraping to your oral routine today!
Incorporating new techniques like scraping take a little time and effort but the end results are worth it. Add it to your brushing, flossing and swishing routine today and see how fast you notice a difference in your taste buds. Remember to rinse your mouth and your sink thoroughly after each session to wash away the bacteria. Removing toxins in this manner is beneficial for your entire system, not just your smile. Dr. Robert L. Harrell and his team look forward to hearing about your experiences with tongue scraping at your next dental checkup.
Adult Dentistry patients can count on receiving the most relaxed, stress-free dental exam possible so schedule your appointment today. If you are unhappy with the quality of your smile for any reason, also request a free, no obligation smile consultation with Dr. Harrell.
Call 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on the website to set your appointment. Dr. Harrell will explain your cosmetic dentistry options and help you decide which best suits your needs. In addition, a complimentary digital smile preview (an $85 value) will be created to show how your smile will look when your cosmetic dental work is complete.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
