A GUIDE TO TONGUE SCRAPING
The traditional Ayurvedic ritual of tongue scraping is a daily self-care oral health habit that rids the tongue of all harmful matter. The tongue is like a rug, absorbing any and all particles that embraces its surface. The mouth is the portal to overall health, so it’s important to keep the tongue is pristine condition.
In Ayurveda, tongue scraping is said to remove Ama (i.e. toxic buildup) from the body. Modern research confirms that tongue cleaning is the best way to remove bacteria that cause bad breath. Tongue cleansing also helps improve taste, remove the coating on the tongue and slow the growth of plaque.
When choosing your tongue cleaner, keep in mind that the material of the cleaner is key for longevity. High-grade stainless steel is the best option because not only is it impervious to bacteria, but also it is more comfortable and gentle on the tongue than plastic. (This is why people prefer eating with silverware than with plasticware.) DrTung’s Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner is the #1 tongue cleaner on the market perhaps because its precurved shape gives precise control (which thus minimizes any gag reflect), offers great oral benefits for a small price, and has soft comfort-grip handles.
To use:
Place cleaner on tongue as far back as possible.
Gently glide the cleaner forward, ‘scraping’ off unwanted matter.
Repeat 3-4 times.
Rinse well.
Use twice daily for best results (e.g. first thing in the morning and before bed).
Incorporate tongue cleansing as part of your morning oral health routine, prior to teeth brushing, flossing, and oil pulling. By scraping your tongue and removing the coating even before drinking anything, including a glass of water, will help to remove as much buildup as possible (rather than swallowing it into your system).