The Habit You Need to Add to Your Wellness Routine If You’re Not Doing It Already
While there are a million beneficial tasks that could probably stand to help you in your daily life, there is one that should absolutely be at the top of your list: tongue scraping. Tongue scraping, an ancient practice rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, is gaining popularity as a simple yet effective addition to modern oral hygiene routines. This practice involves using a tool, usually made of metal or plastic, to gently remove the coating on the tongue’s surface. Here are some of the key benefits of tongue scraping and why you NEED to start incorporating it into your daily routine:
1. Improves Oral Hygiene
The primary benefit of tongue scraping is enhanced oral hygiene. The tongue's surface can harbor bacteria, food debris, and dead cells, which can contribute to plaque buildup and bad breath. Regular scraping helps remove these unwanted elements, reducing the overall bacterial load in your mouth and promoting a cleaner oral environment.
2. Reduces Bad Breath
One of the most noticeable benefits of tongue scraping is the reduction of bad breath, or halitosis. Many causes of bad breath originate from the bacteria and debris that accumulate on the tongue. By removing this coating, tongue scraping can significantly reduce bad breath and leave your mouth feeling fresher throughout the day.
3. Enhances Taste Perception
A coated tongue can dull your taste buds, affecting your ability to enjoy flavors fully. Tongue scraping helps clear away the buildup, allowing your taste buds to function more effectively. This enhanced taste perception can make eating more enjoyable and can even help you better appreciate the subtleties of different foods.
4. Promotes Digestive Health
According to Ayurvedic principles, tongue scraping not only benefits oral health but also aids digestion. By removing toxins and bacteria from the tongue, you reduce the likelihood of swallowing these harmful substances, which can otherwise affect your digestive system. Improved oral hygiene is thought to support better overall digestion and gut health.
5. Encourages Mindful Oral Care
Incorporating tongue scraping into your daily routine can make you more mindful of your oral health. It serves as a gentle reminder to pay attention to all aspects of your oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. This mindfulness can lead to better overall oral care habits and long-term dental health.
How to Actually Tongue Scrape
This should be pretty self explanatory, but here’s a quick guide:
Choose Your Scraper: Select a tongue scraper made of metal or plastic.
Scrape Gently: Hold the scraper by both ends, place it at the back of your tongue, and gently pull it forward, removing the coating. Rinse the scraper and repeat as needed.
Rinse Your Mouth: After scraping, rinse your mouth with water to wash away any loosened debris.
Clean the Scraper: Rinse your tongue scraper thoroughly after each use.
Adding tongue scraping to your oral care routine can bring numerous benefits, from fresher breath and enhanced taste to improved overall health. The last thing you want is to be having a conversation with someone and your tongue is covered in white. Although it only takes a couple minutes, this has become an absolutely crucial step in my morning and night routines. Even though I obviously still additionally brush my tongue, I can never go back to not tongue scraping.