Benefits of Tongue Scrapers

When it comes to your oral health care routine, you know the basics: brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and attend dental exams every six months. But there are some add-ons that can bring your oral health to the next level. The daily use of a tongue scarper can benefit your oral health in a number of ways. It can reduce the amount of damaging dental bacteria within your mouth and help you maintain fresher breath.

At Artistic Expressions Dentistry, Dr. Bruce Wilderman recommends the use of a tongue scraper as part of your oral health care routine. This oral appliance can prevent the need for restorative dentistry treatment when used in conjunction with other at-home dental cleaning methods. To learn more about the benefits of tongue scrapers, read on, and then contact our Philadelphia, PA practice to schedule your next dental appointment.

What Is a Tongue Scraper?

As shown in the image, a tongue scraper has a handle that is similar in design to a toothbrush. However, the tongue scraper’s head is flat, enabling patients to scrape its tip down the length of the tongue, more effectively removing built up food particles, plaque, and bacteria.

Reduce Plaque and Bacteria

The greatest benefit of a tongue scraper is that it reduces the amount of damaging plaque and bacteria within the mouth, which in turn reduces cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Food particles and dental bacteria form a sticky film called plaque. This film clings to the teeth, as well as the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue. As plaque proliferates, it has greater potential to damage the teeth and gums.

Prevent Cavities and Gum Disease

By removing as much plaque from the mouth as possible, it is possible to reduce the risk of dental problems such as cavities and gum disease.

Cavities form when plaque and bacteria damage the outer layer of tooth enamel, gradually damaging the deeper structures of the tooth, and causing a cavity, or hole, to form. Cavities are directly related to the amount of plaque that builds up on the teeth. By brushing and flossing daily, and scraping the tongue, you can greatly limit the amount of plaque that can come into contact with the teeth.

Gum disease results when plaque and bacteria damage the delicate gum tissue, causing it to recede and pull away from the teeth. If gum disease is allowed to progress, the infection can reach the deeper ligaments and bone tissues that support the teeth, resulting in loose or lost teeth.

Maintain Fresher Breath

In addition to increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease, plaque and bacteria have a foul odor. The more plaque and bacteria that accumulate in the mouth, the greater the risk of bad breath. The tongue scraper is especially effective in treating bad breath because it removes a significant amount of bacteria that otherwise would have been left in the mouth.

To undergo a dental exam and cleaning, and get more tips about how you can maintain your oral health, contact Artistic Expressions Dentistry today.