You brush your teeth, and you are careful about flossing, so why does it seem like your breath isn’t getting any better? While it is true that brushing and flossing are crucial for your overall dental care regimen, you can actually do more to prevent issues, like tooth decay and bad breath. Here is a little more information about tongue scraping and how it can help you. 

What Is Tongue Scraping?

Over time, food particulates, bacteria, and dead skin cells build up between the crevices present on the surface of the tongue, perpetuating bad breath. While it is possible to brush your tongue, many people prefer tongue scraping. Using a special, smooth-bladed plastic dental care instrument, you can quickly and easily remove this debris, leaving behind a cleaner smile. 

Tongue scrapers are used by moving the gentle blade from the back portion of your tongue forward, rinsing off the tool, and then repeating the process. Tongue scraping is gentle enough to be performed daily, and tools are easy to clean and reusable. 

How Can It Help Your Oral Health? 

Although it may seem like an added element, tongue scraping is easy and incredibly effective. One study conducted in 2005 found that people who used a tongue scraper twice a day for a week had lower levels of Mutans streptococci in their mouths, the specific oral bacteria that causes tooth decay. 

Tongue scraping has also been linked to reducing bad breath, improving the appearance of the tongue, and even improving your sense of taste. Since tongue scrapers are very inexpensive, it is a very low-risk, high reward way to improve your overall dental care. 

If you have questions about how tongue scraping could help you, turn to the team at Milford Dental in Ohio. With a commitment to helping their patients to live their best lives, these dental care professionals help with everything from emergency dental services to implants and sedation dentistry. Find out more about the services they offer by visiting them online or by calling (513) 575-­9600.