Tongue Scraping
Why Your Tongue Deserves Some Love Too: The Surprising Art of Tongue Scraping
Alright, picture this: it’s early morning, and as you amble half awake to the bathroom, your hand reaches for your toothbrush… but hold up. What if I told you there’s another tool that deserves a spot next to your trusty brush? Enter the tongue scraper, an unassuming but mighty tool rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom.
In a world obsessed with whitening toothpaste and minty-fresh breath, tongue scraping might just be the underdog your oral care routine needs. It’s simple, surprisingly effective, and dates back thousands of years. Let’s dive into why this ancient practice is suddenly having a modern-day moment.
The Ancient Wisdom Behind Tongue Scraping
Thousands of years ago, in the heart of ancient India, Ayurveda emerged as a comprehensive system of healing. Ayurveda views the body as a whole, seeking balance and wellness by clearing out impurities—aka ama, or toxins—that can clog up our systems. Tongue scraping quickly became a foundational part of this wellness ritual.
Early practitioners discovered that scraping the tongue with a metal tool could remove that morning coating we all know too well, leaving a fresher mouth and supporting better digestion. Metals like copper and silver were popular not just because they’re durable, but because they help balance specific doshas (body types), making them power players in the wellness toolkit.
Why use a Tongue Scraper
1. Toxins and Bacteria Be Gone: Overnight, bacteria and toxins accumulate on your tongue’s surface, causing morning breath and contributing to poor oral health. Scraping removes these, leaving you feeling fresher instantly.
2. Taste Buds Revival: The coating on your tongue can dull your taste buds, making food taste blander than it should. Scraping lets you actually taste your morning smoothie or coffee in all its glory.
3. Boosted Immune Health: By removing toxins instead of swallowing them back into your system, tongue scraping supports your body’s natural defenses.
4. Balances Your Doshas: Choosing a tongue scraper in copper, silver, or even gold isn’t just about aesthetics. In Ayurveda, each metal has its unique properties—copper for Pitta (fiery types), silver for Vata (airy types), and gold for Kapha (earthy types)—adding a touch of tailored wellness to each use.
How to Use Your Tongue Scraper
1. Start First Thing in the Morning: Before you eat, drink, or brush, grab your scraper. Repeat at night before your last tooth brush of the day
2. Scraping Technique: Hold the scraper with both hands, place it at the back of your tongue, and gently pull it forward. Not so far back that you gag! Scrape 3 to 6 times, rinsing the scraper after each pass.
3. Follow Up: Rinse your mouth with water or an Ayurvedic mouth rinse for the ultimate refresh.
Keeping Your Tongue Scraper in Tip-Top Shape
1. Rinse and Clean Regularly: After each use, rinse with warm water. For a deeper clean, especially with metal scrapers, soak in a solution of vinegar and salt occasionally.
2. Store It Dry: Dry it thoroughly to prevent tarnishing, especially for copper scrapers.
3. Replace When Needed: Metal scrapers last a long time, but if they show wear or tarnish significantly, it’s time to invest in a new one.
Ready to Give Your Tongue Some Love?
Tongue scraping may seem like a small step, but its benefits go beyond fresher breath and taste bud TLC. This simple, ancient practice has the power to clear out the toxins and start each day with a cleaner, fresher you. So, next time you’re brushing, consider showing your tongue some love, too. It’s one of those wellness rituals that’s so simple you might wonder why you didn’t start sooner!
Here are the references for studies on tongue scraping and its effects:
1. Reduction of Bacteria and Improvement in Oral Health
Yaegaki, K., & Sanada, K. (1992). Volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air from clinically healthy subjects and patients with periodontal disease. Journal of Periodontology, 63(9), 783–789.
This study examined how tongue scraping reduces volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which are related to bad breath, and noted its benefits in reducing bacteria associated with oral health issues.
2. Improvement in Taste Sensitivity
Pedersen, A. M. L., & Bardow, A. (2002). Influence of saliva on taste perception: An overview. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 29(Suppl 3), 3-9.
Research here discusses how clearing the tongue’s coating, including through scraping, can improve taste sensitivity by exposing taste buds to flavors more directly.
3. Reduction in Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Seemann, R., Kison, A., Bizhang, M., & Zimmer, S. (2001). Effectiveness of mechanical tongue cleaning on oral levels of volatile sulfur compounds. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 1(3), 151–158.
This study compared tongue scraping to brushing in terms of reducing halitosis-causing VSCs and found scraping to be the more effective method.
4. Supports Immune Health by Reducing Bacterial Load
Scannapieco, F. A., & Mylotte, J. M. (1996). Relationships between periodontal disease and bacterial pneumonia. Journal of Periodontology, 67(10 Suppl), 1114–1122.
This study suggests that oral hygiene, including tongue scraping, can reduce the risk of respiratory and systemic infections by lowering bacterial levels in the mouth.
5. Reduction of Plaque and Risk of Periodontal Disease
Faveri, M., Hayacibara, M. F., Hayacibara, R. M., Magalhães, A. C., & Duarte, P. M. (2006). The relationship between tongue coating and gingival condition: A systematic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 4(3), 151–158.
This review suggests that reducing bacteria on the tongue through scraping helps to prevent plaque formation, indirectly supporting healthier gums and reducing the risk of periodontal disease.
We prefer a copper tongue scraper .. here is why..