Have you ever heard of tongue scrapers? You must have for sure! Scrapers sound like something that is going to shave your tongue up but that is not the case! Tongue scrapers are a thing and they are worth investing in!
Tongue scrapers may look like a medieval torture device, but they are an ancient practice with a real benefit. Our tongue contains thousands of tiny bacteria that most of us never think to clean. These bacteria can fester and cause bad breath—the worst kind because no one will come near you.
Tongue scrapers help remove the excess bacteria so that your mouth smells better and stays cleaner for longer. There are plenty of ways to keep your tongue cleaner, but the benefits of using a tongue scraper are undeniable. They’re cheap, accessible, and easy enough for anyone to use every day without fail (unlike other methods). Here is everything you need to know about tongue scrapers and whether or not they work:
The benefits of using tongue scrapers
People have been using tongue scrapers for thousands of years. However, the modern scientific community is still trying to figure out why it is beneficial. The most likely reason is that the scraping removes the tongue’s bacteria build-up. As it’s such a densely populated area, bacteria build-up can be a huge issue: causing bad breath, gum disease, and even heart disease if it’s not dealt with. The scraping action also stimulates the flow of saliva, which helps to remove food particles and maintains a healthy pH level in the mouth.
Tongue scrapers helps break down food debris and removes the layer of bacteria build-up on the tongue’s surface. These actions result in fresher breath, cleaner teeth (as bacteria can enter your bloodstream and go everywhere), and a healthier mouth overall.
How do tongue scrapers work?
Tongue scrapers aren’t scrapers in the literal sense. Instead of removing layers of your tongue and being sharp, tongue scrapers use a gentle scrubbing motion to remove bacteria and food particles. It is much easier, as even if you don’t clean your tongue, at least you’ll have a better-smelling mouth.
Tongue scrapers vary in shape and size. Some are made from plastic or metal, while others are a combination of both. The main thing to look for is a scraper with a coarse texture. The steeper the rake, the more bacteria and food particles it will remove. Most tongue scrapers have a hole at the end to enable you to easily clip it onto your keyring and take it with you wherever you go. You might feel a tingling sensation when you use a scraper at first. But you will get used to it over time.
What to look for in a tongue scraper?
There is no best tongue scraper as such, it’s more about finding one that best suits your needs. The most important thing to consider is the texture of the scraper. It should have a very coarse surface to remove most bacteria and food particles.
Scrapers come in many different shapes and sizes, so you should try to find the one that best suits you. You should also make sure that it feels comfortable in your mouth. Always research what will best suit your tongue and if the scraper is comfortable enough to use for a long time.
What’s the downside of using a tongue scraper?
The only real downside to tongue scraping is that you have to get into the habit of doing it every day. If you don’t do it regularly, the tongue scraper will come out a little bit cleaner but that’s about it. While there are many health benefits to tongue scraping, scientists don’t fully understand why it happens.
What they do know is that it is highly unlikely that tongue scraping alone is the only cause of good oral hygiene. Many other factors contribute to healthier teeth and gums, including a balanced diet and regular brushing.
Conclusion
Tongue scraping is a cheap and effective way to keep your mouth healthy and smelling fresh. With so many health benefits and low cost, it’s crazy that tongue scraping isn’t done more often.
If you want to keep your tongue clean and fresh, tongue scraping is the way to do it. Not only does it benefits your oral hygiene, but it will also help you get rid of unwanted bacteria that a toothbrush may miss. However, it is also equally important to invest in a good toothbrush to get maximum oral health benefits.
Check out some of our best toothbrushes here!