Why you should scrape your tongue

Why I recommend tongue scraping?

Tongue scraping is the simple and effective practice of cleaning your tongue before brushing your teeth each morning.  We are taught to religiously clean our teeth twice a day but what about oral hygiene in general? Keeping the tongue clean is as important as brushing the teeth - something many cultures have known about for thousands of years.

A tongue cleaner helps you keep your breath fresh by allowing you to scrape off mucous and debris from the tongue reducing build-up of bacteria and toxins. You will be surprised by the coating you can easily remove with this simple device. It's the first line of defence against halitosis or bad breath, various tongue and gum diseases. It also improves the sense of taste as the debris removed helps improve digestion by cleaning the toxins that build-up on the tongue.

According to Ayurveda, the coating that accumulates on your tongue overnight indicates a build-up of ama (toxins) in the system often as a result of incomplete digestion.  Ayurveda says that scraping the tongue should only be done in the morning on an empty stomach. It is a good way to start to observe the tongue and as a result, the health of the internal organs.

Tongue scraping devices are made from plastic, stainless steel and copper.  I prefer copper which has been used for centuries as the benefits of copper are well-known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Which one you choose depends on your personal preference. Metal scrapers are generally thought to last longer and are dishwasher safe.  Plastic ones easily break and need to be replaced more frequently.

A tongue cleaner is designed to clean the tongue in one smooth, easy stroke removing mucous and oral debris efficiently. Adding this practice into your daily teeth cleaning routine is one of the easiest things you could do to improve your health. The entire process usually takes less than two minutes.

How to use a tongue scraper:

1. Stand in front of a mirror, open your mouth and stick out your tongue.

2. Gently set the rounded end of the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue.

3. If you’re worried about gagging, 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.

4. 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.

5. After each scrape, rinse under the tap to remove debris from the scraper.

6. Repeat until you’ve scraped the entire surface of your tongue. One to six scrapes across the same area is usually enough.

7. Wash the tongue scraper with warm water and soap, dry, and store in a clean, dry area.

Side effects or risks to consider?

One of the biggest concerns about tongue scraping is stimulating the gag reflex. This could make you vomit while tongue scraping. To avoid this, refrain from placing the scraper too far back on your tongue. When you first start scraping, you may find it helpful to scrape from the middle of your tongue to the tip. You can gradually start from farther back as you get used to the sensation.

It’s also possible to accidentally cut the surface of your tongue with the scraper. To prevent this from occurring, make sure your tongue scraper doesn’t have any uneven or rough edges. You should inspect your scraper before every use to ensure that it’s still safe to use.

You should be mindful of how much pressure you’re applying. You want to be gentle enough to avoid harming your taste buds or breaking the skin, but firm enough to scrape up excess debris. When in doubt, start soft and gradually increase the pressure.

Do not use if your tongue has ulcers, open sores, bumps or thrush.