|
Health - Tip of the Month
 I was introduced to the idea of using a tongue cleaner when I first started school in NY last fall. I have been using one ever since and do believe it provides many positive benefits.
First, what exactly is a tongue cleaner and where did it originate? It is a "U" shaped stainless steel utensil that has blunted edges. It has been around for a very long time and comes from the tradition of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an intricate medical system of healing that originated in India thousands of years ago.
The theory is that using a tooth brush will clean the teeth but will not actually remove all the bacteria in the mouth. The tongue has a coating of millions of organisms. When we swallow soft foods, not all of what we consume goes down our throats. A portion of the debris and microorganisms remain on the surface of the tongue. This creates a potential site for lots of bacteria to grow!
By using a tongue cleaner or scraper (as it is sometimes called) you can benefit from the following:
- Eliminates bad breath
- Helps fight cavities
- Helps prevent tooth decay
- May reduce periodontal disease
- Reverses the desensitizing of taste buds
- Allows you to taste more subtle flavors in food
- May reduce cravings by eliminating leftover food
- Makes the tongue sweeter so kissing is better
Using a tongue cleaner is really easy and takes literally no time. It is recommended to use twice daily, morning and night. If you suffer from bad breath or find your tongue often has a milky white coating, it is recommended to use it several times a day. Here is how you use it:
- Stick your tongue partially out of your mouth
- Flatten it as much as possible
- Using the blunted edge, and starting back as far as possible on your tongue, gently scrape the surface two or three times
- Repeat covering the entire tongue, especially working areas where you see debris
- Rinse out your mouth
- Clean and store the scraper
Tongue cleaners are easy to find. You can usually find them at any health related store or purchase online. As I mentioned earlier, the one I use is "U" shaped however there now seems to be a variety of types on the market. They are very inexpensive so try a few different types and see what is best for you.
Happy Hygiene!
|
