Description
Tongue Scraper & Tongue Cleaner FAQs
Does Tongue Scraping Help Improve Bad Breath?
Yes, our tongue scraper collects and removes the bacteria and residue generated from brushing, helping cure bad breath. Use it to leave your tongue feeling clean and fresh. Even if you’re an oral hygiene all-star who brushes your teeth twice a day, and flosses regularly and dutifully visit your dentist every six months, you may still be missing one step that could help keep your mouth fresh and healthy. Tongue Scrapers help control bad breath, giving you confidence. Adding tongue scraping into your morning routine is a great way to maintain oral health.
Should I Buy Copper Or Stainless Steel Tongue Scrapers?
While a gold or silver tongue scraper would be amazing, new research on the health benefits of copper makes a copper tongue scraper hard to beat. Currently, you can buy plastic tongue scrapers, and metal tongue scrapers including ones made from copper. Copper has been used for centuries as a bacteria-resistant metal, and new studies are confirming these ancient practices.
Copper may be the best metal to be used for tongue scraping because the mouth is loaded with both good and not-so-good bacteria. Copper not only seems to be toxic to the bad bacteria, but it also provides important enzymes that are needed for the healthy microbes in the mouth to survive.
In one study, the antiseptic benefits of copper were so great that, when copper was put in hospital rooms as furnishings, the bacteria count on all of the surfaces in the rooms was significantly reduced. Some hospitals are now incorporating copper furnishings as part of their anti-bacterial strategies.
What Is Tongue Scraping or a Tongue Brush?
Tongue scrapers or tongue cleaners are a fast way to remove extra particles — including the ones that cause bad breath — from the surface of your tongue. It’s done with a small, slightly rounded tool, called a tongue cleaner, made from plastic or metal. Our tongue cleaner is made from copper, due to its beneficial properties.
Although no amount of scraping can replace good toothbrushing, its purported benefits have enticed quite a few to add this extra step to their morning and evening routines.
Read on to learn more about how tongue scraping can improve your oral health, common misconceptions to keep in mind, and how to get started.
How Is Tongue Scraping Beneficial?
Debris, bacteria, and dead cells can build up on your tongue over time. This can lead to bad breath and have a negative impact on your overall oral health. Using a tongue cleaner regularly is a great way to help combat these pesky hygiene maintainers.
Using a tongue cleaner can help remove this buildup, as well as:
Improve your sense of taste. Older researchTrusted Source suggests that using a tongue scraper twice daily can improve your sense of taste. Your tongue may be able to better distinguish between bitter, sweet, salty, and sour sensations.
Improve the appearance of your tongue. The buildup of excess debris can cause your tongue to take on a white, coated appearance. Daily scraping can help remove this coating and prevent it from returning.
Remove bacteria. Researchers in one 2005 study found that using a tongue scraper twice a day for seven days reduced the overall incidence of Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria types are known to cause bad breath and dental decay.
Improve overall health. Removing bacteria is key to preventing cavities, gum disease, and other conditions affecting the mouth. Tongue scraping can help clear these bacteria from the mouth, improving your tongue’s appearance and overall sensation.
Reduce bad breath. Although tongue scraping can’t replace brushing your teeth, scraping may do some things better. Researchers in one 2004 study found that scraping was more effective than brushing at removing odour-causing bacteria.
How Do I Use My Tongue Scraper?
To perform tongue scraping, you’ll need the right tool — a tongue cleaner. A quick search for tongue cleaners can reveal lots of options. These include ones made from plastic, copper, and stainless steel.
Most will have a slightly rounded shape, much like an inverted spoon. If you’re in a pinch, household items like a spoon (clean, of course) or your toothbrush will do. However, they may not remove as much odour-causing bacteria as a dedicated tongue scraper.
To use tongue cleaners, follow these steps:
Stand in front of a mirror, open your mouth, and stick out your tongue.
Gently set the rounded end of the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue.
If you’re worried about your gag reflex, you may find it helpful to start at the middle of your tongue. You can gradually start from farther back as you get used to scraping.
Gently touch the scraper to your tongue. Slowly pull it forward, toward the tip of your tongue. You should never push the scraper from the tip of your tongue back. Always go from the back of the tongue to the tip.
After each scrape, removing your top tongue coating, use a washcloth or tissue to remove debris from the scraper.
Repeat until you’ve scraped the entire surface of your tongue. One to two scrapes across the same area is usually enough.
Wash the tongue scraper with warm water and soap, dry, and store in a clean, dry area.
The entire process usually takes less than two minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day.