Tongue Scraping: Benefits and How to Do it
Have you combed your tongue today?
You may not know this, but most of the bacteria that causes bad breath is on the back of your tongue. So, it makes sense after brushing and flossing your teeth that you brush the back of your tongue as well. The problem is that it is very difficult to do this without gagging. But, there is a better tool to use for this than your toothbrush. A tongue comb or scraper is a plastic device that you can buy over the counter at any drug store. They vary in size, shape, and what they are made of. You should pick one that is comfortable in your hand. It should be about the same width as your tongue.
Tongue Scraper Benefits
A tongue scraper helps manage the balance between a healthy mouth and healthy you because of these benefits:
- Cleans toxins and bacteria from the tongue
- Helps remove coating on the tongue that leads to embarrassing halitosis (bad breath)
- Helps eliminate undigested food particles from the tongue
- Cleans the taste buds to enhance the sense of taste
How to Use Tongue Scraper
The best way to use a tongue scraper is to stick your tongue out as far as it will go. Place the scraper as far back on your tongue as is comfortable. Gently pull the tongue scraper across the entire surface of the tongue in one forward motion. Rinse the tongue scraper and repeat until you no longer remove unwanted coating (usually around 5-10 times). Be careful not to scrape your tongue too hard as this can temporarily damage your taste buds.
Do you have Philemaphobia? What is philemaphobia you ask…? FEAR OF KISSING. Make tongue combing a part of your daily personal oral hygiene routine, and I promise you will never have to worry about that again!