TikTok is saturated with videos promoting health-promoting fads.
Some films discuss drinking water containing chia seeds, ingesting dry protein powder, and sticking garlic up one’s nose.
The tactics promise to aid in weight loss, enhance the effectiveness of a workout, and protect against the common cold, but experts say they are either ineffective or dangerous.
Dentists assert, however, that tongue scraping can improve oral hygiene.
According to Dr. Sundeep Patel, the practice of utilizing a gadget to clean material from the tongue can eliminate bad breath and prevent gum irritation and cavities.
This, according to the cosmetic dentist at Waldron Dental Clinic in southeast London, is due to a procedure that is more effective than brushing and flossing alone in removing the white film on the tongue, which is a buildup of germs, debris, and dead cells.
Even Gwyneth Paltrow, the founder of the wellness brand goop and advocate of ‘dangerous’ behaviors like as vaginal teaming, engages in the practice.
After brushing and flossing, the tongue is scraped three to four times with mild pressure, from the rear to the front.
Advocates claim that the scraper, a U-shaped gadget made of plastic, copper, or steel that costs as little as £3 and is available at most pharmacies, eliminates harmful bacteria from the mouth.
This month, Gwyneth Paltrow confessed that she begins each day with a tongue scrape using an $8 (£6.75) Boka gadget.
On the tongue, around 200 different types of insects reside.
While the majority of these bacteria are beneficial, others can cause gum disease and cavities if allowed to accumulate.
Dr. Patel told MailOnline, “Tongue scraping is a very recent oral practice that is expected to explode in popularity by 2023.
The practice of tongue scraping was once exclusive to the wellness industry, but it is increasingly entering the mainstream and becoming a standard step in dental hygiene regimens.
Although not as essential as brushing and flossing, it can be incorporated into a regimen to maintain the mouth as clean as possible, according to Dr. Patel.
Some people attempt to clean their tongue using a toothbrush or mouthwash, but a tongue scraper may be more effective.
Dr. Patel stated, “Oftentimes, after eating or drinking, the tongue can feel sluggish or dirty.
So, scraping your tongue in the morning and evening can help remove bacteria from that area to prevent future dental troubles.
He said, “Tongue scrapers are fairly good in removing bacteria from the tongue, and a dentist may recommend purchasing one and incorporating it into your oral hygiene routine in certain instances.”
The procedure can alleviate foul breath, which is typically caused by food particles and bacteria on the tongue.
Dr. Patel stated, “Removing these will help keep your mouth clean.”
It can also minimize the risk of gum disease by eliminating particles that can irritate the gums and cause inflammation, which could contribute to gum disease in the long run.
Additionally, eliminating extra bacteria reduces the likelihood that cavities may form.
Dr. Patel stated, “The more we can do to keep our mouths clean, the less likely we are to experience tooth decay or other dental disorders.”
Two weeks of tongue scraping has been shown to improve taste bud function, according to studies.
According to him, twice-daily scraping may make it simpler to taste foods and distinguish between salty, sweet, and sour flavors.
“Tongue scraping can also improve the appearance of the tongue, as it can remove the white coating that commonly forms on the tongue, leaving it looking clean and healthy,” Dr. Patel explained.
However, a British Dental Association representative told that dentists do not typically recommend the technique.
The representative stated that it is not a substitute for brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste — including before bed — daily cleaning between the teeth, avoiding sweet food consumption, and regular visits to the dentist.
Dr. Linda Greenwall, the founder of Dental Wellness Trust, advised readers to clean their tongues with a toothbrush.
She stated, “Thousands of bacteria can be eliminated in this manner.”
The majority of halitosis agents (bacteria that cause bad breath) lodge in the tongue, making tongue washing necessary.
Additionally, brushing removes coffee stains from the tongue.
However, it is imperative that you brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and see your dentist regularly.
