The Why, When, How and Where of Tongue Scraping

Imagine it’s still winter… you’re standing at the door, ready to brave the cold. You’re
layered-up with three shirts and a sweatshirt, your heavy winter coat, and two layers of
socks underneath your waterproof winter boots. Then you’ve got those awesome jeans
with the flannel on the inside, your comfy hat, scarf, and gloves. You’re set! But wait. As
you step toward the door, you suddenly realize you have an itch… and it’s deep down…
buried beneath all those layers. And, try as you may, every attempt to reach that
bugger-of-an-itch fails. Defeated, you realize the only relief you’re ever gonna’ get is to
remove each one of those layers. Where are we going with this?!

The Tongue
We’re going inside your mouth, of course, to your tongue – this is a dental article, after
all! Because whether you know it or not, like you in the wintertime, your tongue is also
“all covered up” – buried beneath layers of bacteria, fungi, and food residue that can
inhibit your ability to taste, let alone cause your tongue to appear various shades of
yellow, white, or green! Remove the bacteria, though, and your food will once again
directly interact with those taste buds, and return to its natural hue. So how does one do
that? With a tongue scraper, of course!

WHAT is a tongue scraper?
A tongue scraper is a U-shaped device designed to “scrape” the top layer of scum from
your tongue. They have been in use since ancient times, and have been made of
everything from wood to whalebone. Nowadays, they are made of more hygienic
material, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs and colors.

WHY use a tongue scraper?
The residue on your tongue includes things like the cavity-inducing Streptococcus
mutans bacteria, fungi, rotting food (that’s not good), and what’s referred to as “volatile
sulfur compounds.” In other words, sulfur – that “rotten egg smell.” Talk about ew! So,
as you can see, there are several reasons why you’d want to get rid of this gunk in
your mouth. Let’s tackle them one by one:

● Reduce bad breath: ‘nuff said!
● Reduce your risk of periodontal disease and cavities: Bad bacteria contribute

to plaque and tartar on teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities.
Bacteria build-up can also lead to inflammation of gum tissue (gingivitis). If left
untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which means a more
expensive dental visit (plus other unwanted consequences!). Speaking of
avoiding an expensive dental visit, when was the last time you came in to see
us? Come see us now if it’s been a while, by calling in at 585-671-9580.

● Make room for good bacteria: see our article here on probiotics for your mouth.
● Prevent heart disease? While the debate is still up in the air, some studies
suggest there could be a correlation between gum disease and heart disease.

HOW does one use a tongue scraper?
In general, make sure to rinse your tongue scraper before and after use. Apply the
tongue scraper to the back of your tongue and drag it forward. Then, rinse and repeat.
Make sure to get the sides of your tongue as well, not just the center!
Make sure not to press too hard or you can cause yourself to bleed. And, if you’re
wondering if you should scrape your tongue while recovering from a dental procedure,
that’s a good question … ask your dentist for the best advice particular to your
situation. Still not sure how this thing really works? The next time you’re in, ask Dr.
Juliano for a quick tutorial!

WHERE do I buy one?
Your first choice is, believe it or not, your dentist. A scraper may be something your
dentist would recommend. They may even have a sample they could provide to you
at no cost. Tongue scrapers are relatively inexpensive, and can also be found at any
local drugstore. It doesn’t matter the material, color, or brand – just find the one you
like and get scraping!