What is tongue cleaning? This is a hygienic procedure aimed at removing bacteria, food debris, yeast, toxins and dead cells from the surface of the tongue.
During sleep, the human digestive system remains active. Toxins are removed from the body and moved to the oral cavity. If you do not use a special tongue scraper, the toxic breakdown products of nutrients are reabsorbed into the body and can cause respiratory or digestive problems. In addition, the abundance of toxins causes significant damage to the immune system.
A lot of dental research has shown that a tongue scraper is more effective at removing debris and bacteria than a regular toothbrush. Although the use of the latter (along with the use of dental floss) allows you to remove some of the potentially dangerous plaque, consisting of food debris. Bacteria after such treatment remain in place. Meanwhile, almost half of all pathogenic microorganisms living in the oral cavity hide in the deep cracks of the tongue. Clean out plaque (which, by the way, can be both transparent,and color - white, yellow or green) is possible only with the help of a special tool.
The following are the top four reasons to buy and use a scraper regularly.
Remove bad breath
The stench emanating from the mouth can seriously damage your personal life, relationships with others and self-esteem. Considering that the most nauseating smell is caused by bacteria that live quite deeply (where they are very difficult to reach with an ordinary toothbrush), experts recommend using a good tongue scraper. It allows you to remove bacteria from cracks on the entire surface of the body, including at the very root, and thereby minimizes the risk of an unpleasant odor.
Taste food
The normal digestive process begins in the mouth - with the taste of food and salivation. If no action is taken to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue, the taste buds can become clogged with waste products and toxins. As a result, you are likely to have false desires to try unnecessary (for example, unhe althy) foods, or simply lose the ability to recognize the tastes of various dishes. Regular cleaning of the surface of the tongue helps to fully open the pores and stimulate the taste buds, allows you to enjoy your favorite dishes to the fullest and helps the body digest food and absorb vital nutrients.
Increase immunity
Language is part of the immune system, the first line of defense against disease. The tongue scraper prevents the reabsorption of toxins into the blood and tissues, and improves the body's defense function.
Improve oral he alth
This hygienic procedure protects teeth and gums from infections and diseases. It is the accumulation of bacteria that causes periodontal pathology, the growth of plaque on the enamel, tooth decay (gradually leading to their loss), infectious lesions and gum recession.
How to clean your tongue
An important point is the regularity of the procedure. You need to clean the surface of the tongue in the morning, after waking up and before breakfast. A tongue scraper is a long, thin, flat metal tool that is bent into a "U" shape.
Standing in front of a mirror, take both ends of the scraper in your hands, stick out your tongue and place the tool as deep as possible into the mouth to reach the root of the tongue. Carefully, with moderate pressure, slide the scraper over the surface of the organ in one smooth motion. Rinse the device with water and repeat the procedure until you feel that the tongue has become clean and completely free of plaque. Usually this requires repeating the procedure 5-10 times.
Side effects
Although experts recommend a thorough cleansing, starting at the root of the tongue, for most people, touching the particularly sensitive areas of this organ can cause a gag reflex and even vomiting itself. This effect can be easily prevented by relaxing the tongue and throat muscles as much as possible. Another easy wayprevent gagging - exhale while using the scraper.
If the instrument is shaped incorrectly or made by an unscrupulous manufacturer, aggressive or too frequent cleaning can damage the taste buds. Some studies, however, indicate that they are able to recover on their own. However, it's better not to risk it and get a safe and ergonomic scraper.
Where to buy a tongue scraper
Reviews published on various resources dedicated to a he althy lifestyle will help you decide on the choice of tool. Scrapers are inexpensive and are sold in many he alth food stores, Ayurvedic shops, and on Internet sites. Pay attention to the material: it is better if it is stainless steel, as it is easier to clean. If for some reason you cannot use a tongue scraper, try temporarily scraping your tongue with the edge of a metal spoon.
