Do I Really Need a Tongue Scraper? Yes--Here's Why

At Smallflower, we were delighted when the Men's Magazine GQ featured one of our products in an informative post about how to reduce bad breath. The product in question is none other than the Amano Tongue Scraper. Uh...the what, now? We understand that, at first sight, the phrase "tongue scraper" can seem a little odd. We all know to brush our teeth, floss, and use mouthwash to keep up good oral hygiene. But...cleaning your tongue? You might think that's some sort of newfangled trick or gimmick, but it's actually a practice that's been around for a long time.

The History of Tongue Cleansing

Tongue cleansing is a self-care ritual that has been practiced around the world for hundreds of years. It’s especially prevalent in Ayurveda, a form of medicine with historic roots in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurvedic practitioners have used tongue cleansing since ancient times for oral hygiene upkeep. It was particularly en vogue for affluent members of Western cultures between the 15th and 19th centuries. Traditionally, materials like wood, metals, ivory, and shells were used to cleanse the tongue. Nowadays, plastic and metal are the materials of choice. There are several different methods of keeping your tongue spick and span. The most popular is the toothbrush that we all know and love, though special tongue brushes are available. And, of course, there is the infamous tongue scraper.

So, what is a Tongue Scraper?

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A tongue scraper is a device you can use to scrape off buildup from your tongue.

As you can see from the image on the left, the Amano model is made from surgical-grade steel with plastic handles. To see how exactly to use it and to watch one in action, check out this video of Smallflower's TQ demonstrating how to use the Amano: [/GDC_column] [/GDC_row]  

The Benefits of Tongue Cleansing

So now you know what they are and how to use one...but the question remains: what's the point? What kind of benefits can you get out of scraping your tongue? As it turns out, there's a lot of good to be had.

1. Tongue Scraping Reduces Oral Bacteria

Getting all that gunk off your tongue means lowering the amount of bacteria in your mouth and, as a result, on your teeth. Studies suggest that this can therefore help prevent tooth pathogens and aid in the reduction of bad breath.

2. Tongue Scraping Can Boost Your Ability to Taste

Since tongue scrapers remove what can sometimes be a thick coating over the taste buds, they can help make it easier for you to experience different flavors. A study conducted in 2004 suggested that just two weeks of tongue cleansing could improve taste sensitivity--and tongue scrapers were the most effective method!

3. Tongue Scraping Improves Your Mouth Feel

That tongue buildup and coating we've been talking about? You know the feeling. After a long day or a heavy meal, we've all experienced a nasty-tasting and unpleasant-feeling film on our tongue. With just a couple of swipes from a tongue cleanser, you can be rid of it. We hope that this post has helped expand your knowledge of tongue scraping and oral hygiene in general. You can shop all things dental at Smallflower.com →