Tongue cleaner

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Tongue cleaner
Tongue cleaner
Tongue scraper
Tongue scraper

A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. The bacteria and fungi that grow on the tongue are related to many common oral care and general health problems. In addition, decaying bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds on the rear of the tongue; these molecules are the main cause of halitosis, or bad breath. Tongue cleaners lift and remove these materials from the tongue surface. The tongue cleaner should be used before using tooth brush in the morning, and not after. This will prevent the stuff on the tongue from falling back into the throat.

Contents

[edit] General

Ergonomic tongue cleaners are shaped in accordance with the anatomy of the tongue, and are optimized to lift and trap the plaque coating and effectively clean the surface of the tongue. There are many different types of tongue cleaners, made from plastic, metal or wood. Their effectiveness varies widely depending on the shape, dimensions, configuration and quality of the contact surfaces, and materials used.

[edit] Historical background

Regarding the origins of tongue cleaning, it is known that they have been used since ancient times in India [1] and China.

Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine, recommends tongue cleaning as part of one's daily hygiene regimen, to remove the toxic debris, known as Ama.

In the 19th century, people were also using specially designed, handcrafted tongue cleaners [2] made of sterling silver, ivory and tortoise shell.

[edit] Importance of tongue cleaning

[edit] Fresh breath

Tongue cleaning is meant to remove some of the millions of bacteria (up to 500 different types [3]), decaying food debris, fungi (such as Candida), and dead cells, from the surface of the rear of the tongue. Tongue cleaning is generally viewed as the solution for most cases of halitosis, or bad breath. Scientific studies have shown that in approximately 80-95% of cases, bad breath originates in the oral cavity, mainly from material on the rear of the tongue. Research shows that only the rest of about 5-20% of cases originate in the stomach, from the tonsils, from decaying food stuck between the teeth, gum disease, tooth decay, or plaque accumulated on the teeth. Clinical studies have shown that using tongue cleaners on a daily base, has a significant effect on eliminating anaerobic bacteria and decreasing oral malodor. [4][5][6]

[edit] Better oral hygiene

It is estimated that approximately 70% of the bacteria in the oral cavity thrives on the surface of the human tongue. These microorganisms colonize and multiply on the protein - rich areas of the tongue, and eventually, through the saliva, reach all areas of the mouth including the teeth and gums. These bacteria are considerable contributors to periodontal problems, plaque on the teeth, tooth decay, gum infections, gum recession and even tooth loss.

[edit] General health

Oral bacteria are associated with a number of serious systemic diseases. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

[edit] Alternative medicine

Cleaning the tongue with an appropriately designed tongue cleaner also massages the tongue. This is an important element of traditional Chinese medicine where the tongue surface is identified as an important reflexogenic zone. [12]

Tongue cleaning improves the sense of taste (because of cleaning the taste buds) and also stimulates the secretions of digestive enzymes.[13]

[edit] Who recommends tongue cleaning

  • Dental Professionals
  • Physicians
  • Bad Breath Specialists

In the past several years, dental professionals (dentists and hygienists) have emphasized the importance of tongue cleaning as a way to maintain a high level of oral hygiene. In addition, physicians have rediscovered the link between oral health and pathologies of the rest of the body, one which was prevalent in the medical field in the early part of the 20th century. Breath specialists generally agree that the majority of cases of halitosis (bad breath) come from the rear of the tongue, an area that can be cleaned efficiently by using an ergonomically designed tongue cleaner. [14][15]

Since it promotes general health, improves oral hygiene, and is a real solution to bad breath, tongue cleaning proves to be a healthy daily habit as well as an insurance to self esteem and image for people adopting it.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ The Daily Routine -by Vasant Lad, B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., Ayurvedic Physician European Academy of Vedic Sciences.
  2. ^ Handcrafted tongue cleaners Antique Dental Instruments
  3. ^ Diversity of Bacterial Populations on the Tongue Dorsa ournal of Clinical Microbiology, February 2003, p. 558-563, Vol. 41, No. 2
  4. ^ Bad Breath By the Editorial Board of The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
  5. ^ Bad Breath Research The British Dental Association
  6. ^ The effect of tongue scraper on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in patients with caries and periodontal disease Pubmed.gov - Tropical Dental Journal, 2005 Mar, 28
  7. ^ Systemic Diseases Caused by Oral Infection Clinical Microbiology Reviews, October 2000, p. 547-558, Vol. 13, No. 4
  8. ^ Review of the Oral Disease-Systemic Disease Link. Part I: Heart Disease, Diabetes Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, November-December 2006, 40(6):288-342
  9. ^ ORAL-SYSTEMIC HEALTH (YOUR ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH) American Dental Association - Oral Health Topics
  10. ^ PERIODONTITIS AND OSTEOPOROSIS FACTA UNIVERSITATIS Series: Medicine and Biology Vol.12, No 2, 2005, pp. 100 - 103
  11. ^ Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease Division of Periodontology, Department of Dentistry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  12. ^ Diagnosis by Tongue About.com - The Chinese Medicine Sampler
  13. ^ Dincharya - Modern Daily Regimen Ayurveda - I Love India
  14. ^ What you should know about bad breath JADA, Vol. 134, January 2003
  15. ^ Bad breath (Halitosis) - FAQ ADA, Oral Health Topicz A-Z