oral hygiene
What is a tongue scraper and what is it used for?
A tongue scraper is said to help reduce bad breath
© AndreyPopov/Getty Images
The invention is not new, but tongue cleaners are used far less in Europe than in Asia – where Ayurvedic oral hygiene has been practiced for thousands of years. But what is behind?
A tongue scraper is a small instrument used to clean the tongue. The purpose of the application is to reduce plaque on the tongue and thus improve oral hygiene. Because the fact is, millions of tiny bacteria live on our tongues, breaking down food residue and producing sulfur in the process – and you can smell it: bad breath is the result of tongue coatings. If these are eliminated (or at least reduced) by the tongue scraper, our breath should also smell better. But does it work? And how do you use a tongue scraper correctly?
Presentation: These tongue scrapers currently exist
In Asia, as in India, many people use metal tongue scrapers (stainless steelmoney or copper). They are easy to clean and therefore particularly durable. In Europe, on the other hand, only tongue cleaners are present in most pharmacy chains. Plastic: They are significantly cheaper to buy, but also have a shorter shelf life – because they are not as easy to clean as toothbrushes.
Whatever the material, all tongue scrapers have one thing in common: their shape, which adapts perfectly to the anatomy of the tongue. Whether curved or U-shaped – all models are narrow and flat so that you can remove the coating (without triggering the gag reflex) especially in the back area of the tongue. Because the fact is: less bacteria accumulates in the front area of the tongue, because it touches your palate when you speak and swallow and thus remains “cleaner”.
Application: use the tongue scraper correctly
Ideally, apply the tongue cleaner twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening – always after brushing your teeth. Proceed as follows:
- Pull the cleanser from back to front – with light pressure – onto your outstretched tongue.
- Wash off the coating collected on the tongue scraper under running water.
- Repeat the whole process at least three to four times in a row until there is no coating left on the tongue scraper.
- Then rinse your mouth thoroughly and let the (cleaned) tongue scraper air dry.
And another tip: Put a small amount of toothpaste containing antimicrobial ingredients on tongue scraper (or on your tongue) before you start cleaning.
Conclusion: What is the use of a tongue scraper?
So far, no scientific study proves that a tongue scraper (whether metal or plastic) can actually reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. Noisy product trial However, the deposits on the tongue are noticeably reduced – according to a dentist who took a closer look at the cleaning effect. For this reason, buying a tongue scraper can make sense to improve oral hygiene and prevent bad breath.
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