Tongue Cleaning
Cleaning the tongue as part of the daily oral hygiene is essential, since it removes the white/yellow bad breath generating coating of bacteria, decaying food particles, fungi and dead cells from the dorsal area of tongue. Tongue cleaning also removes some of the bacteria species which generate tooth decay and gum problems.
A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. The bacteria and fungi that grow on the tongue are related to many common oral care and general health problems. In addition, decaying bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds on the rear of the tongue; these molecules are the main cause of halitosis, or bad breath.
The top surface of the tongue can be cleaned using a tongue cleaner, a tongue brush/scraper or a toothbrush. Yet the toothbrush is not effective for this purpose since it was designed for brushing the teeth, which have a solid structure vs the spongy tissue of the tongue. Ergonomic tongue cleaners are shaped in accordance with the anatomy of the tongue, and are optimized to lift and trap the plaque coating and effectively clean the surface of the tongue.
There are many different types of tongue cleaners, made from plastic, metal or wood. Their effectiveness varies widely depending on the shape, dimensions, configuration and quality of the contact surfaces, and materials used. The use of the tongue cleaner is recommended before toothbrushing and eating, and not after. This prevents the toxic build-up on the tongue from getting swallowed along with food and liquids.
Regarding the origins of tongue cleaning, it is known that they have been used since ancient times in India and China. Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine, recommends tongue cleaning as part of one’s daily hygiene regimen, to remove the toxic debris, known as Ama. In the 19th century, people were also using specially designed, handcrafted tongue cleaners made of sterling silver, ivory and tortoise shell.
Importance of tongue cleaning:
Tongue cleaning is generally viewed as the solution for most cases of halitosis, or bad breath. Clinical studies have shown that using tongue cleaners on a daily basis has a significant effect on eliminating anaerobic bacteria and decreasing oral malodor. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the bacteria in the oral cavity thrives on the surface of the human tongue. Cleaning the tongue with an appropriately designed tongue cleaner also massages the tongue. This is an important element of traditional Chinese medicine where the tongue surface is identified as an important reflexogenic zone. In the past several years, dental professionals (dentists and hygienists) have emphasized the importance of tongue cleaning as a way to maintain a high level of oral hygiene. In addition, physicians have rediscovered the link between oral health and pathologies of the rest of the body, one which was prevalent in the medical field in the early part of the 20th century. Breath specialists generally agree that the majority of cases of halitosis (bad breath) come from the rear of the tongue, an area that can be cleaned efficiently by using an ergonomically designed tongue cleaner.
