What is Tongue Scraping? JihwaPrakshalana, or the Ayurvedic self-care ritual known as tongue scraping, is an an oral hygiene practice that removes bacteria, food debris, fungi, toxins, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue.
When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system.
Top reasons to tongue scrape:
1. The build up of bacteria and fungi on the tongue are directly related to most oral care problems such as sinus infection, sore throats, throat infection, gum disease and more.
2. Studies have revealed the link between oral and tongue hygiene and the health of the entire body. Oral bacteria build up on the tongue has been associated with many serious systemic diseases such as:
a) Cardiovascular problems such as heart attack
b) Pneumonia – due to inhaling bacteria
c) Respiratory issues
d) Increased risk of diabetes
e) Osteoporosis of the jaw
f) Infertility problems for men (yep, for real)
3. Decaying bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds on the rear of the tongue which account for up to 95% of all cases of halitosis (bad breath)! Using a tongue cleaner is the greatest way to eliminate bad breath.
4. Taste improves with a clean tongue! When the surface of the tongue has been scraped of the bacterial film it allows the taste buds to function optimally, this is essential when creating healthier dietary habits as food flavours effect our level of satiation when eating
5. If you scrape your tongue you will receive more kisses from desired sources.
Types of tongue cleaners
Essentially there are two types of tongue cleaners. Tongue brushes and tongue scrapers. Tongue brushes are effective at loosening particles and bacteria that may be lodged or stuck between the papillae and taste buds that cover the surface of the tongue. Tongue scrapers are more effective at gathering bacteria and particles from the tongue and removing them from the mouth.
A toothbrush may be used as a tongue brush. We find that toothbrushes with soft bristles work better then toothbrushes with thick rigid bristles.
There are some tongue cleaners that incorporate a scraper and a brush such as the Orabrush . While those brush and scraper combos are convenient, I find them to do a poor job at scraping or brushing. The saying "jack of all trades, master of none" applies to these
Traditionally, according to one of the Ayurvedic texts, the Charaka Samhita, tongue scrapers should be made of gold, silver, copper, tin, or brass. Toxins (ama) would be collected on the back of the tongue that could cause obstructions in respiration and foul smell.
Benefits of Using a Tongue Cleaner:
1) Clears toxins & bacteria from the tongue
2) Helps remove coating on the tongue that leads to bad breath
3) Helps eliminate undigested food particles from the tongue
4) Enhances the sense of taste
5) Promotes overall oral & digestive health
6) Gently stimulates the internal organs
7) Increases your awareness of your state of health
Using Your Tongue Cleaner
You can clean yourtongue either before or after you brush your teeth; no studies support aparticular cleaning order. Your tongue is sensitive, so it's important to begentle and not to press the cleaner too forcefully into your tongue. Here are afew more general cleaning tips:
. Rinse your tongue cleaner before and after using it toremove bacteria and food debris that may be present.
. Start cleaning at the back of your tongue, and workyour way forward.
. Scrape and clean the entire top and side surfaces ofyour tongue, not just the center.
. If you use a tongue brush, move it the same way youmoved the tongue cleaner from the back of the tongue to the front of thetongue. You may have to use this method a few times in order to adequatelyclean your entire tongue.
. Rinse the tongue brush or tongue scraper off after youuse it to remove bacteria and any food debris from the areas of the tongue youcleaned.
. Rinse your mouth after cleaning your tongue.
Cleaning your tongue may be a new venture for you. Trythese different methods to find the one that works best for you. Tonguecleaners are inexpensive. They boost oral hygiene while helping to prevent badbreath.