When it comes to taking care of our overall oral health, many of us put emphasis on the common cleaning processes like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash – however, it is worth noting that extra attention needs to be placed on the effective cleaning of one’s tongue.
The reputable dental specialist Smiles Dental Care highlights that the textured surface of the tongue makes it prone to collecting bacteria and small particles. “Overtime, these substances accumulate and form a multilayered biofilm on the tongue. Water alone is not enough to penetrate the biofilm and sweep away the bacteria within it. For these reasons, the tongue should be cleaned frequently,” suggests the above-mentioned source.
Furthermore, another disadvantage of having this biofilm layer on your tongue is that it comes as a breathing ground for bacteria, and can ultimately affect your breath.
A good way to get rid of this is to invest in a tongue scraper.
Another oral health publication, Wayzata Dental, explains that a tongue scraper can be a small plastic, or metal tool that helps to remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from your tongue. In addition to this, they come in all shapes and sizes and should be used in addition to your normal oral cleaning routine, instead of a replacement.
These are the benefits of using a tongue scraper as highlighted by Healthline:
Improves sense of taste: According to Healthline, research has proven that by scraping at least twice a day, you would improve your taste and better distinguish between sweet, salty and bitter.
Improve tongue’s appearance: Accumulated food debris may leave your tongue with a white layered coat. By scraping this can be removed.
Removes bacteria: “Researchers in one 2005 study found that using a tongue scraper twice a day for seven days reduced the overall incidences of Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria types are known to cause bad breath and dental decay,” shares Healthline.
Also see: Oral Health Month: Tips for combatting dental erosion in youth
