Have you scraped your tongue lately or do have you no idea what we are talking about? Well if it's the later, let us explain! Good oral health is a pretty big deal for your overall health and well-being. Tongue scraping is the process of using a small, slightly rounded tool (like the one pictured here) to remove bacteria, food particles, dead cells, and other debris from the surface of the tongue. This healthy habit may also have other benefits, like improving your sense of taste and getting rid of bad breath. Please be advised that this is not a replacement for brushing your teeth on a regular basis; this is simply an additional step in a oral care routine.
To perform tongue scraping, 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 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.
- 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, 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.
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.
Tongue scraping may be done daily.
Made of stainless steel.
