Tongue scraper have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years and tongue scraping is a great way to enhance oral hygiene and improve your sense of taste. It can remove bacteria, debris, and dead cells, including the ones that cause bad breath, from the surface of your tongue. According to a systematic review done by NIH on effective tongue coating management methods, tongue scrapers are more effective at reducing bad breath than toothbrushes. A tongue cleaner for adults is usually made of metal like stainless steel while a plastic tongue scraper is generally used for kids. One should remember that no amount of scraping can replace brushing your teeth, but using the best tongue scraper as an added step to your morning or evening routines can really help your mouth feel fresh and clean.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of a tongue cleaner and its types that are available in the market.
Know The Types of Tongue Scraper
While selecting a tongue cleaner or scraper, certain factors are important to consider, like which tongue scraper is best for adults and whether a plastic tongue scraper is the best choice for kids. Below are certain key factors that you should keep in mind when selecting your tongue brush.
The Shape and Design
Tongue scraper is available in different shapes and sizes, like U-shaped, Y-shapes, and triangular. Go for a shape that you find personally comfortable and easy to use.
Material of the Scraper
As metal is easier to clean and lasts the longest, stainless steel tongue scraper or a copper tongue scraper is a good choice. However, metal tongue cleaner for adults are perfect but they can prove to be too hard for children. Plastic tongue cleaner is smart, if you are looking for an infant tongue cleaner as these tools are softer, making them ideal for sensitive tongues.
Easy to Clean
As explained earlier metal tongue brush is easier to clean and maintain as compared to others. Therefore, choose a tongue cleaner that you can easily wash and sanitise.
Size and Ease of Carrying
Before you make your final choice, the size of this cleaner must be considered, especially if you are planning to carry it with you throughout the day. A compact, portable scraper is easy to fit in a pocket or purse and allows you to maintain oral hygiene on the go.
Tongue Scraper – Benefits
Everyone should use tongue cleaner whether it is stainless steel or a copper, because using a tongue scraper can have a lot of benefits and some of the major advantages of using a tongue cleaner are given below:
Helps in Removing Bacteria and Dead Cells
Using this cleaner or tongue brush helps in removing bacteria and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. This also prevents bad breath and dental decay.
Improves and Enhances the Sense of Taste
Studies suggest that using a tongue scraper twice a day can improve your sense of taste as a clean tongue helps in distinguishing between sweet, salty, bitter, and sour sensations in a better manner.
Reduces Bad Breath
Did you know in some of the developed countries, 8-50% of people experience bad breath. Also, it has been stated that tooth brushing, tongue cleaning or mouth rinsing could be the best ways of preventing this bad breath. Moreover, in a 2004 study, researchers found that scraping can prove to be more effective than brushing at removing odour-causing bacteria.
Improve the Appearance of Your Tongue
An unclean tongue appears white and coated due to the excess build-up of debris. Scraping your tongue daily can help remove this coating and prevent it from returning.
Enhances Overall Health
Tongue scraping removes bacteria from the mouth and this also helps in preventing cavities, gum disease, and other conditions affecting the mouth.
End Note
Tongue scraping is a step if added to your daily oral hygiene routine can prove to be very beneficial. Using a tongue cleaner every day can improve your overall oral health when combined with brushing. However, you need to remember to choose a tongue scraper that you find comfortable and easy to use. Hopefully, the above-mentioned guide will provide you with the guidance that you need when you choose your tongue’s best friend.
