The Why, When, How and Where of Tongue Scraping
April 22, 2021
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 bacterium, fungi, rotting food (that’s not good), and what’s referred to as “volatile sulfur compounds.” In other words, sulfur – that “rotting 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 awhile, by calling in at 315-475-4559.
- 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. Maricarmen, Sheila, or Tina for a quick tutorial!
WHERE do I buy one? Tongue scrapers are relatively inexpensive, and can be found at any local drugstore. It doesn’t matter the material, color, or brand – just find the one you like and get scraping!
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We understand that we are in the midst of a concerning, confusing time. Our office wants to ensure that our patients and staff stay healthy. Starting tomorrow we will be cancelling all appointments through the end of March. Those of you with appointments in the next two weeks our team will be reaching out to reschedule to a later date. We will be available daily at the office for EMERGENCIES ONLY from 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM. We have the following procedures in place: We continue to disinfect our treatment rooms in between each patient. This includes disinfecting the exam chair, work surfaces, light handles, and instruments. We continue to use rubber dams for most patient procedures, vacuums and suction, use of eye wear and masks for the staff; all of which reduce potential spread and infection of any illness within our office. We are increasing the frequency in which we are disinfecting the patient lounge, pens, clipboards, and beverage station. We are screening patients to determine risk for ANY seasonal infections, but also for COVID-19. We thank you in advance for understanding if we ask you to reschedule your appointment. We are temporarily a “no handshake” environment for the safety of our patients. Dr. Maricarmen says feel free to “elbow bump” her! We have moved our air purifier to the waiting room as a preventative measure. We ask that our team members and patients follow these procedures: Please wash your hands prior to entry of our office and use hand sanitizer upon your arrival. If you are sick, exhibiting any symptoms of a virus, have been exposed to a COVID-19 patient, or have traveled outside of the country, please call us to reschedule your appointment. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of it immediately. Avoid touching your face and mouth. We appreciate your cooperation at this time and thank you for your understanding. Our staff will keep you updated to any changes.
Summer time is officially here! This means having fun in the sun with your friends and families at parties, barbecues, at the beach, and more! While it’s certainly a time to celebrate and have a great time since school and other obligations are put on hold, there’s one thing that we want to protect and that’s your smile. Your Syracuse dentist will discuss how to keep up with your dental and oral hygiene and care this summer. Find a Healthy Diet and Stick With It! We understand that it can be easy to fall into a bad diet during the summer. With all of the barbecues and backyard parties full of snacks, sweets and treats, it’ll certainly be difficult to ignore it. While it’s fun to splurge, make sure that you’re still eating right for a majority of your meals. This means limiting the amount of snacking that you’re doing—if you can’t help but snack, try to replace the chips and candies with celery, carrots, or other healthy vegetables! It also highly recommended not to eat very late at night, especially if you plan on going to bed relatively soon. You’re allowing the bacteria and food particles to linger in your mouth overnight instead of giving your body time to properly digest. If you eat and then go to bed, you’re also skipping your nightly brushing routine, making it easier for your teeth to suffer from cavities and potential decay. Eat at appropriate times and don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth before you go to bed to protect your smile! Drink Water—Lots of It It’s no secret that summertime can bring some of the hottest recorded temperatures around, which is why it’s important to stay hydrated. This won’t only help your dental health, but it’ll help your overall health, too! In between meals, try to consume as much water as possible, since there are many popular drinks that can cause you to dehydrate or dry out your mouth (coffee, sodas, sports drinks, alcohol). Protect Your Teeth as You Play Sports Summer is a great time to participate in a number of sports activities, like baseball, soccer, football, and more! But accidents can happen and your teeth can easily suffer from a hit. Most dental injuries in children are sports related, so we recommend using mouth guards for these times. There is no intention of anyone getting hurt, but that doesn’t mean it can’t potentially happen! Your teeth will thank you in the morning. If you want to learn some more helpful summer tips about protecting your smile, or if you’d like to make an appointment for your bi-annual check-up, don’t hesitate to call ProSmile Dentistry at (315)475-4559 today! We wish you a happy, safe and healthy summer!
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