Brushing and flossing are the mainstays of good oral hygiene, but you can take your dental care one step further with a tongue scraper (also known as a tongue cleaner or brush).
Bacteria, food debris, toxins and dead cells all coat the surface of the tongue, and while most of this is removed when you clean your teeth, the excess can get reabsorbed by the body, leading to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems and even a compromised immune system. A tongue scraper collects these toxic tongue coatings and removes them from the body.
How else can a tongue scraper improve your oral health?
It can improve bad breath: Bad breath (or halitosis) can be caused by a build up of bacteria and plaque. If you have a coated tongue, which can occur from an overgrowth of this bacteria – caused by smoking, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene or medication use – tongue scraping may be helpful.
It can boost your immunity: When it comes to your immune system, the tongue is the first line of defence. Scraping your tongue prevents the toxins and bacteria build up from being reabsorbed into your body, thus boosting your overall immune function.
It can make your food taste better: Healthy saliva production and taste are the cornerstones of proper digestion.
Using a tongue scraper prevents the taste buds from becoming blocked, which will allow you to enjoy more food flavours and help your body to digest food better.
Ask your dental hygienist about purchasing a Dr Tung’s Tongue Scraper at your next Smile Solutions appointment.