Many things people do to get rid of bad breath, one of them is by tongue scraping. From a medical point of view, tongue scrapings are proven to be effective in helping to get rid of bad breath by cleaning the germs that stick to the tongue.
According to research, the condition of bad breath, or halitosis, is almost 90 percent caused by bacteria that come from food residue and protein in saliva. The tongue is one of the most inhabited locations for these bacteria.
Cleaning the Surface of the Tongue
Tongue scraping is intended to clean the accumulation of bacteria, fungi, dead cells, and food residue on the surface of the tongue. This accumulation can be caused by yeast infections, dry mouth, smoking, use of certain medications, and lack of fluid intake, especially if oral and dental hygiene is not maintained.
Bacteria and fungi that normally grow around the tongue have also been linked to problems with the mouth and overall health. One of them is the problem of bad breath or halitosis. Research on the effectiveness of tongue scrapings is still limited. However, one recent study suggests that tongue scrapings can temporarily help with bad breath. There is not enough evidence that tongue scraping helps chronic bad breath.
Two other studies compared the effectiveness in treating bad breath between using tongue scrapings and using a toothbrush to clean the tongue. As a result, tongue scrapings had a slightly higher effectiveness in controlling bad breath in adults, but were only effective for a relatively short period of time.
Choose As Needed
Many clean the tongue with a toothbrush alone. However, if it is intended to help overcome bad breath, cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush is considered less effective. The reason is, the design of a toothbrush is different from a tongue scraping. Toothbrushes are designed to clean teeth with hard surfaces, while the soft texture of the tongue requires different tools.
Now tongue scrapings can be easily found in various shapes and sizes. Then, how to choose the right tongue scrapings?
Choose an ergonomic tongue scraper that is shaped according to the anatomy of the tongue, so that it can remove the plaque layer while cleaning the surface of the tongue. In addition, also pay attention to the shape of the tongue scraping. Choose the shape and size according to your tongue, and comfortable to hold.
If necessary, use tongue scrapings with a special gel that acts as an antibacterial for optimal cleaning. How to use tongue scraping is very easy. Place the tool up to the back of the tongue, then pull it up to the front end of the tongue. Repeat several times until you feel the tongue feels clean.
In addition to cleaning the surface of the tongue, to overcome and avoid bad breath must also be accompanied by efforts to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, rinse your mouth with mouthwash, use dental floss if necessary, and drink enough water to prevent dry mouth. Then, check your teeth to the dentist regularly.
Cleaning your teeth with tongue scrapings may help with bad breath. However, if bad breath persists, consult your doctor or dentist for proper treatment.
