Did you know that white coating on your tongue is home to billions of bacteria? Not just unsightly, this bacterial playground could be affecting your breath and oral freshness. Tongue cleaning might sound like just another step in an already crowded wellness routine, but this traditional practice has been used for centuries.

This simple, one-minute addition to your morning routine isn't just about fresher breath - it's a traditional practice associated with benefits such as enhanced taste perception. Once you start, you'll wonder how you began your day without one! Let's explore how a humble tongue scraper might complement your oral care routine.

Why Clean Your Tongue? The Potential Benefits

When it comes to removing the coating on the tongue, many people report positive effects. From a fresher mouth to potentially improved taste sensation, there are several reasons people include this practice in their routine. Some research suggests tongue cleaning may help with taste perception. A 2018 publication in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging noted that "tongue cleaning, a simple technique used for oral hygiene, may be an effective way to reduce excess salt intake" by affecting taste sensitivity (Seerangaiyan et al., 2018).

The Ayurvedic Tradition of Tongue Cleaning

Tongue cleaning has a long history in Ayurvedic self-care practices, where it's traditionally viewed as a way to remove 'ama' or impurities.

In Ayurveda, India's 5,000-year-old holistic health care system, tongue cleaning is considered an important daily practice for maintaining oral freshness. It is traditionally used to help remove bacteria, food debris, and coating from the tongue, associated with fresher breath and clearer taste perception.

This practice is often recommended in Ayurveda in relation to the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha), which are the energies believed to govern the body's functions in this traditional system. By removing coating from the tongue, it is thought to support balance according to Ayurvedic principles.

Understanding Tongue Bacteria

An average of 20 billion bacteria live in your mouth. While some bacteria in our bodies serve beneficial purposes, the bacteria on the tongue include varieties associated with dental plaque and those that can contribute to breath odour.

A 2019 publication in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology observed that "regular tongue hygiene both affects the composition of the microbiome and changes the activity of the community" (Tribble et al., 2019).

What Research Shows About Tongue Cleaning

Breath Freshness: Tongue cleaning may help remove bacteria and debris that contribute to breath odor, leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean. A 2001 publication in the Journal of the American Dental Association noted that "tongue cleaner and tongue scraper appeared to affect oral VSC levels more than the toothbrush" (Seemann et al., 2001). Volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) are associated with breath odour. For a fresher mouth, a tongue scraper might be a helpful addition to your routine!

Taste Perception: Some research suggests tongue cleaning may affect your taste perception. A 2018 publication in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging looked at tongue cleaning and taste perception, noting changes in taste sensation after tongue cleaning (Seerangaiyan et al., 2018). Another study from 2021 observed that "fourteen days of mechanical tongue cleaning may affect gustatory functions" (Timmesfeld et al., 2021).

Oral Hygiene: Research has looked at how tongue cleaning may affect the bacterial presence on the tongue. Using a tongue scraper might help reduce bacteria associated with the tongue coating, according to observations in a 2019 publication in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology that noted "tongue cleaning both affects the microbiome composition and changes the activity of the community" (Tribble et al., 2019).

How to Choose a Tongue Scraper: Steel vs Copper

If you're interested in trying tongue cleaning, consider adding this quick step to your twice-daily oral hygiene routine. It all starts with choosing the right tool. Many people find that metal tongue cleaners may work better for removing coating compared to using a toothbrush.

Both stainless steel and copper tongue scrapers offer different features. Stainless steel scrapers are durable, easy to clean, and don't tarnish over time - making them practical for everyday use. They're also dishwasher-safe and typically last longer.

Copper scrapers are traditionally used in Ayurvedic practice. While copper requires more maintenance to prevent tarnishing, many users appreciate its traditional connection to Ayurvedic practices.

Here are 2 popular options that I use personally:

Dr. Tung's Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner

The Dr Tung's Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner is a tongue cleaning tool that introduced this traditional practice to the mainstream market over 30 years ago. Crafted from high-grade stainless steel, this cleaner is designed to help remove coating on the tongue for a cleaner mouth and fresher breath.

Black Chicken Remedies Cuprum Tongue Cleaner

The Black Chicken Remedies Cuprum Tongue Cleaner features solid copper, which is traditionally used in Ayurvedic practices. Based on ancient Ayurvedic wellness traditions, this tool helps with removal of tongue coating that may contribute to breath odour.

How to Use a Tongue Scraper: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Best timing: Many practitioners suggest tongue cleaning first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything. A publication in Clinical Oral Investigations discusses morning tongue cleaning as part of oral hygiene practice (Acar et al., 2019).
2. Proper technique: Place the scraper as far back on the tongue as comfortable, then gently pull from the back to the front 3-5 times.
3. What to expect: This will remove some coating, and depending on factors like hydration levels and general health, this amount may vary day to day.
4. Follow-up care: Make sure you wash your scraper thoroughly after each use, dry it completely, and store it in a clean place.
5. Routine integration: Follow up with your usual oral hygiene steps of brushing, flossing, etc. Repeat the process at night for optimal results.

Complementary Natural Dental Care Practices

What are some natural dental approaches that complement tongue cleaning? Consider exploring these practices for overall oral freshness:

• Natural toothpaste: Look for natural, herbal and plant based toothpastes. My favourite is this Weleda Salt Toothpaste that helps clean the teeth by encouraging natural salivation while brushing.
• Ayurvedic mouthwash: Products like the Auromere Ayurvedic Neem Peelu Mouthwash use traditional herbs like neem and peelu for a fresh mouth feeling.
• Oil pulling: Black Chicken Remedies Oral Swishing Oil combines organic coconut oil with essential oils for this traditional Ayurvedic practice.
• Natural floss: Choose dental floss options made from sustainable materials that are free from synthetic chemicals.

Explore a complete range of natural dental care products to build a comprehensive, natural oral care routine. By incorporating these practices daily, you can enjoy a fresher mouth and brighter smile. Regular tongue hygiene "both affects the microbiome composition and changes the activity of the community" (Tribble et al., 2019).

Want to learn more about Ayurvedic wellness practices? Check out our guide on how to incorporate Ayurveda into your daily routine or explore the traditional practice of dry body brushing.