Benefits of Tongue Scrapers
Dr. Patrick Tanner offers a number of restorative dentistry treatments that repair dental damage and restore oral health. But he would be completely satisfied if his patients never needed these services. The ultimate goal of dental treatment is to assist patients in maintaining strong, healthy teeth and gums.
Our preventive dentistry services focus on the maintenance of good oral health and the prevention of serious oral health problems. In addition to these professional services, we urge patients to practice at-home oral hygiene habits that will ensure the success of this goal.
When most people think of the oral health tools they use to keep the mouth clean, they probably think of a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash. But what about a tongue scraper? A tongue scraper can play an important role in maintaining good oral health. Here, Dr. Tanner discusses the benefits of tongue scrapers and why his South Ogden, UT patients should give these oral health tools a try.
What Is a Tongue Scraper?
A tongue scraper doesn’t have the reputation of a toothbrush. In fact, many of our patients have never heard of a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a cleaning tool for the tongue. The most common design is a long handled device that is shaped similarly to a toothbrush. However, the head of a tongue scraper is wider than a toothbrush and has a flat surface. A tongue scraper is designed to remove bacteria, food particles, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue.
Benefits of a Tongue Scraper
Just as tooth brushing and flossing remove harmful bacteria and food particles from the teeth and gums, tongue scraping removes these harmful substances from the tongue. Many people do not realize that bacteria, fungi, and food debris can build up on the tongue, but they do, and they can have a serious impact on oral health. By cleaning the tongue with a tongue scraper each day, patients can prevent this kind of buildup, and improve their overall oral health.
Some of the specific goals of tongue scraping include:
- Tongue scraping removes odor-causing bacteria and is one of the best ways to prevent halitosis, or perpetually bad breath
- Tongue scraping removes soft plaque from the tongue, which has been directly linked to hard plaque buildup on the teeth and tooth decay
- Tongue scraping can enhance the taste buds and lead to the better enjoyment of food
- Tongue scraping can improve a person’s oral health, which has positive implications on overall physical health
- The tongue is the first line of defense for the immune system and tongue scraping can boost the body’s overall immune functions
Considering all the benefits that a tongue scraper can offer, it is worth adding this oral health care tool to your at-home cleaning routine.
Contact Us
Even the best at-home oral hygiene routine can benefit from the professional dental services offered by Dr. Patrick Tanner. To learn more about the comprehensive range of treatments available at our practice, contact us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!