Meta: You may have heard of tongue scraping but not know exactly what it is. Here’s a handy guide to this oral hygiene practice!
You already take great care of your teeth. You brush them twice a day (at least!) for two minutes at a time (minimum!) with a medium bristled brush, which you diligently replace every three to four months. You floss at least once a day, sometimes more, and even use a mouthwash to freshen your breath and whisk away dangerous plaque bacteria. But you could always do more, right? What about tongue scraping? Whether you are earning an A+ with your oral hygiene or not, you may want to consider adding tongue scraping to your oral hygiene repertoire. Here’s why!
WHAT IS TONGUE SCRAPING?
Tongue scraping is the act of using a device called a tongue scraper to ‘scrape’ off bad bacteria that reside on the tongue. This can not only help keep the oral cavity cleaner, it can also help keep the breath fresh, too! Tongue scraping can even improve or enhance the taste of your favorite foods, and improve your overall body health by eliminating those pesky bacteria that might otherwise find their way into your bloodstream.
HOW DO YOU TONGUE SCRAPE?
While there are some different varieties of tongue scrapers available, generally you begin by placing the scraper on the back of your tongue and pulling forward. Remember, always pull from the back of the tongue to the tip. As you scrape, remove any debris from the scraper before scraping again.
Plan on scraping each section of the top of your tongue once or twice. If you find that you are gagging on your scraper, begin scraping closer to the tip of your tongue until you are comfortable enough to push the scraper back a bit further.
WORK TOGETHER
As we mentioned before, the best way to care for your teeth is to use a combination of cleaning methods which include brushing, flossing, mouth wash, and if you desire, tongue scraping.
If you have any questions or concerns about tongue scraping or using your tongue scraper, please contact Dr. Abelar for assistance. If you would like to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Abelar, please contact the office today!
