Facts About Tongue Cleaners

When you are using your toothbrush, you clean your teeth and gums — but are you also cleaning off your tongue? While there are several options for cleaning your tongue, one good option is to use a tongue cleaner. Tongue cleaners come in a few varieties:

Tongue Scrapers

Tongue scrapers are tools specifically made to eliminate acids from the tongue, and it’s the one most associated with tongue cleaning. Tongue scrapers are utilized by placing the tip of the scraper at the back of the oral cavity, then pulling the scraper forward. Wash off the scraper just as you would a toothbrush after brushing your teeth.

Tongue Brushes

Tongue brushes are relatively new to the dental hygiene scene, and they look like a toothbrush, but their bristles are made to clean the crevices of tongues. These work about as effectively as a tongue scraper, and you can occasionally find combination tongue brushes/toothbrushes.

Toothbrushes

Finally, you can also use a toothbrush to clean your tongue. Although this method doesn’t require you to buy another oral device, it will not clean your tongue as effectively: tongue scrapers are about 50% more effective than toothbrushes at removing bacteria and filth from tongues.

If you’re considering a pinker, cleaner tongue, a tongue cleaner may be right for you. To learn more about tongue scrapers, please phone us at 949-458-5858 now to talk to Dr. Aria Irvani and/or our Foothill Ranch, California, Aria Irvani DDS team.