Tongue cleaners have been used for literally five centuries. One of the earliest records of tongue cleaning can be found in the treatises written by Persian doctor Avicenna in the 10th century A.D. To ensure maximum effectiveness of the procedure, he recommended using cypress cones and wooden sticks, which are rich in essential oils. In ancient China, the nobles used a tongue scraper before each meal, since it was believed that this procedure enhances the taste of food.
In fact, the people of China were right. Interaction with the receptors is a good massage for the tongue. Such manipulations sharpen the sense of taste and stimulate the work of internal organs. Besides, taking care of your tongue keeps you out of 5 problems at once.

• Prevents the development of cavities by hampering bacteria from producing acid that destroys enamel.
• Eliminates bad breath. 70% of people lose unpleasant breath odor after cleaning the tongue.
• Removes plaque, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. They live on the taste buds, in the grooves and elevations of the tongue, forming a biofilm. Simply rinsing your mouth will not help to get rid of plaque.
• Increases the sensitivity of taste buds - a clean tongue perceives intensified taste from food and beverages.
• Helps to avoid tartar buildup, as well as several diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis).

How do you Know if your Tongue is Healthy? 

At the time of Hippocrates, healers asked patients to show their tongues. Doctors assessed the health condition of the patient according to the state of the tongue and its color. Centuries have passed, but many doctors still use this method for primary diagnosis.

Actually, plaque does not cause disease. Its formation can result from poor hygiene, smoking, dyes in food, dental and oral diseases. A healthy plaque is easy to distinguish on several indicators.

• it forms in the morning, after eating or when you feel thirsty.
• the plaque disappears after cleaning.
• it changes color if you eat food with food coloring.
• it does not smell.

Signs that Characterize Unhealthy Plaque

• it remains or builds up immediately after cleaning
• it smells bad
• the plaque layer is dense
• regardless of the food, it is yellow-brown in color
• redness and cracking of the tongue under the plaque
• you feel a bitter taste in your mouth or nausea

Tongue Cleaning Tools

Try not to use regular toothbrushes to clean your tongue. They do not remove plaque from a porous surface of the tongue. Besides, it can cause a gag reflex that nobody would want to experience. It is better to pay attention to special devices for cleaning the tongue.

Tongue Scrapers

They are made in the shape of a spoon with a wide, curved head for cleaning the entire tongue length without gagging. This type of scraper should be changed every six months.

Irrigator Nozzles

Oral irrigators usually come with additional nozzles for the tongue. They have a spoon-like head that releases a stream of water.

Electric Toothbrush Heads

Most toothbrush manufacturers offer special heads for cleaning the tongue from plaque. They are usually made of rubber and have a thin, textured surface.

Tongue Gels

You should not brush your tongue with toothpaste since it is designed for your teeth. Toothpaste contains abrasives and menthol that can irritate the mucous membrane. For tongue cleaning, use special gels, which gently dissolve plaque.

How to Clean Your Tongue Properly

Dentists recommend brushing your tongue after brushing your teeth.

• Start at the back of your tongue. Applying gentle pressure on your tongue, move the scraper or nozzle towards the front. Do not press too hard as the mucous membrane of the tongue can be easily damaged.
• Clean the tool with water after each stroke.
• Rinse out your mouth.

Tongue cleaning takes no more than 30 seconds. The indicator of purity is the pink color of the tongue. It is usually enough to clean the tongue once a day in the morning or the evening.

At Dental World, our doctors will help you find the right oral care products and answer any questions you may have.

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