Why you should use a tongue scraper

The Ayurvedic self-care ritual of Jihwa Prakshalana is commonly known as tongue scraping. A tongue scraper or tongue cleaner is a simple piece of equipment that you can keep in your bathroom with your toothpaste and your bamboo toothbrush. The better ones are either made from stainless steel or copper.

Scraping the tongue daily removes any build-up of food debri, fungi and toxins on the tongue. Bacteria, as most of us know, can lead to bad breath and the surface of the tongue is the perfect breeding ground for it.

Dr Tung's Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper

• Pre-curved shape gives precise control
• Freshens Breath
• Removes Bacteria
• Improves Taste

Modern research confirms that tongue cleaning is the best way to remove the bacteria that cause bad breath. Tongue cleaning also helps improve taste, remove the coating on the tongue and slow the growth of plaque.

Made of Stainless steel, Dr Tung's cleaner is curved, removing bacteria and soft plaque in seconds. Stainless Steel is impervious to bacteria and more comfortable and gentle on the tongue than plastic. (Note: The handle comes in assorted colors - colour chosen at random)

What is a Tongue Scraper?

A tongue scraper is a long, thin, flat curved piece of metal, sometimes with plastic handles. The U shape design allows precise control of how you use the scraper plus the pressure and position while using it. It also allows you to get right to the back of the tongue where most of the bacterial resides.

How to Scrape Your Tongue

This should ideally be done in the morning upon rising, before cleaning your teeth and before eating or drinking anything.

Simply stick out your tongue and hold each end of the scraper in your hands and place the scraper as far back on you tongue as possible. With firm but gentle pressure, scrape the surface of your tongue in one long stroke. Rinse the scraper and repeat 7-10 times.

Can we share a tongue cleaner?

Yes you can. Stainless steel is very hygienic and can be rinsed in hot water after each use. It doesn’t wear out and is impervious to bacteria (unlike plastic). It is a good idea to give the scraper a quick clean with toothpaste every week or two just to remove and residue that may have build up on the stainless steel.

Can you just use a toothbrush to clean your tongue?

A lot of people ask if they can simply use a toothbrush to brush their tongue and the answer is no. For the most part -  brushing with a toothbrush will simply relocate the bacteria to the bristles of the toothbrush, plus aggressively brushing can irritate the taste buds on the surface of the tongue.