Tongue Scraping: A Simple Habit for Better Health

Our oral health is vital for our overall health & well-being. Irregularities in our mouth and on our tongue can indicate health issues which need to be addressed, and can impact our quality of life and, if not addressed, even our longevity. So, how can tongue scraping help to improve our oral health, and so our overall health? Well, kind reader, I am happy to share this tip with you now…

Why is Oral Hygiene vital to our overall health?

We know that our body is all connected, and so poor oral health can actually lead to diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even respiratory infections. Our mouth is not only how food enters our body, but also bacteria and infections, which can then reach other parts if they get into our bloodstream. So, our mouth is our first defense. If we have gum disease, it can complicate blood sugar control in cases of diabetes. If we are finding it hard to eat due to dental issues, then this can restrict our food intake, which will lead to nutritional deficiencies. Finally, poor oral health can impact our enjoyment of one of the greatest privileges and pleasures in life – eating great food! So, good oral hygiene is not only important to have healthy looking teeth, but also vital to maintain our overall health.

What is Tongue Scraping?

Tongue scraping is an ancient Ayurvedic oral hygiene practice which is gaining recognition for its potential health benefits. It is a very simple and quick daily practice of gently removing the coating on the tongue’s surface, using a scraping tool typically made of metal or copper. This is much more effective than brushing the tongue with a toothbrush, which can push the toxins back into the surface.

Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Reduces Bacteria and Toxins: Our tongue can hold bacteria that contribute to bad breath and oral disease. Scraping helps to remove these microbes and their byproducts, which improves our overall oral hygiene.

Enhances Taste Sensation: Clearing our tongue surface can help us to taste our food better by exposing taste buds more effectively.

Supports Digestive Health: In Ayurveda, a tongue coating is considered to be a sign of ama (toxins). Removing it may support better digestion and internal balance. It removes residual food particles and toxins which could otherwise enter the digestive tract. While scientific evidence directly linking scraping to improved digestion is modest, it is clear that a cleaner tongue supports overall oral and potentially systemic health.

Improves Breath: Studies have shown that tongue scraping is more effective than brushing alone in reducing volatile sulfur compounds which can be responsible for halitosis.

How to Scrape Your Tongue Effectively

Use a tongue scraper made of stainless steel or copper.
Stand in front of a mirror, stick out your tongue, and gently scrape from back to front. Its is helpful to note if there is a coating and what colour it is.
Rinse the scraper after each pass and repeat 5–7 times.
Clean the scraper thoroughly after use.
Best done in the morning before eating or drinking, and you can scrape again at night if you wish.

What the Colour of our Tongue may Indicate

While this is not diagnostic, the colour of our tongue can give us clues about our health:

Pink: Healthy and well-hydrated.
White coating: Possible fungal infection (e.g., oral thrush, candida overgrowth) or dehydration.
Yellow: May suggest liver or digestive issues.
Red or strawberry: Could indicate inflammation, fever, or vitamin deficiency.
Purple or blue: May be linked to poor circulation or heart issues.
Black: Often due to bacterial overgrowth or medication side effects.

If you notice any of the above colours or any other unusual tongue discoloration persistently, please consult your doctor or dentist to check it out. Our bodies give us signs of imbalances and if we pay attention, we can catch illnesses or imbalances early.

Summary

When it comes to oral health, of course, follow your dentist’s advice when it comes to brushing and flossing daily, and go for your bi-annual check ups and cleaning. Adding in a simple and quick routine of daily tongue scraping can also enhance oour oral health, which in turn optimizes our first defense against pathogens. However, we also know that the above good habits are just firefighting, if we eat a diet full of ultra processed foods and drinks which contain high levels of sugar. So, this is just another great reason to eat whole foods, which help to keep our teeth strong and gums healthy. Basically consume more natural food and less sugar, most of the time!