TONGUE CLEANING: #HABIT WITH MANY HEALTH BENEFITS

Why Scrape My Tongue?

The main reason why most people use a tongue scraper is to prevent bad breath. Tongue scraping aims to remove odour-causing substances called volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). In addition to its possible ability to relieve bad breath, some people may use tongue scraping to reduce potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth that could cause cavities, gingivitis, or mouth ulcers. Tongue scraping is a painless and low risk procedure. Notice the color of the coating as well as the quantity. The amount can be a good indication as to whether or not your body was able to digest the food you consumed the previous day. Ayurveda considers the tongue a road map of the entire body, with each section corresponding to a different organ. When we scrape the tongue, it’s like giving our internal organs a gentle massage. The back area of the tongue corresponds with the colon, so scraping that area stimulates peristalsis.

• Clears toxins, bacteria, and dead cells from the tongue to prevent bad breath
• Enhances the sense of taste
• Promotes overall oral and digestive health
• Gently stimulates the internal organs
• Increases your awareness of your state of health

Our bodies are constantly exposed to toxins from our food, beverages, and the environment; even our own metabolic wastes and unresolved emotions can lead to toxicity. When toxins are not properly digested and eliminated, they accumulate in the body and begin to compromise our well-being and immunity. In some cases, bad breath is the result of some sort of periodontal problem, and it is therefore a good idea to see your physician or dentist if halitosis (or bad breath) is a recent condition. Current research indicates that most cases of halitosis (85-90% of them) are a result of the metabolic outputs of naturally occurring bacteria inside the mouth, most of these on the surface of the tongue. Signs that toxins have begun to accumulate in the body are:

• A white coating on the tongue
• Foul-smelling breath or body odour
• Mental fog or confusion
• Overall sense of stagnation or weakness
• Generalized body aches
• Diminished appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Fatigue or lethargy

Your Tongue V/S Bacteria

Dental caries is undoubtedly a multifactorial disease and dental plaque plays a major role in its pathogenesis. Dental plaque is a biofilm, it is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach itself to the smooth surface of the tooth. It is considered to be a complex, metabolically interconnected, highly organized bacterial system consisting of dense masses of microorganisms embedded in an inter-microbial matrix. The pellicle, which is an organic bacteria-free film, deposits on the tooth surfaces within nanoseconds after vigorous tooth brushing or polishing. Then, the bacteria start to colonize the tooth surface. The dental plaque, in sufficient concentration, can disturb the host-parasite relationship and cause dental caries. The plaque thickness differs depending on the locally prevailing oral cleansing forces, oral hygiene and other factors such as salivary components.

The oral surfaces are colonized by over 500 bacterial species and tongue has the largest bacterial load of any oral tissue and makes the greatest contribution to the bacteria found in the oral cavity. More than 100 bacteria may be attached to a single epithelial cell on top of the tongue, whereas only about 25 bacteria are attached to each cell in other areas of the oral cavity. There is also a continuous shedding of cells of the surface layer of epithelium from the tongue and palate and the availability of oral debris from these sites could contribute to plaque formation on the teeth.

Therefore, reducing the load of bacteria on the tongue may help in reducing the rate of plaque formation on the tooth.

what colour is your tongue

If you have noticed, the colour of a healthy tongue is light pink. While a light white coating is absolutely normal, the texture of your tongue should be slightly fuzzy.

While you might think of your tongue only being a certain color, the truth is that this small muscular organ can come in a range of colors. A tongue may turn red, yellow, purple, or another hue, and certain health conditions may even dictate its shape.

It’s not uncommon for your tongue to be a different color, but it’s still not a sign of optimal health.

If you’re wondering whether your tongue color is considered “healthy,” read on to learn what all the possible shades mean and when you should see a doctor.

Color of a ‘healthy’ tongue

While everyone’s tongue may look slightly different, a “typical healthy” tongue has similar characteristics. It ought to be pink, with a thin whitish coating on the surface.
Papillae are also prevalent on a healthy tongue. These are small nodules along the surface that help you eat and taste your food.

Colors of an ‘unhealthy’ tongue

When your tongue is not its normal pink color, you could have an underlying health issue. Below are other colors your tongue may be and what they could mean.

• Red. A red (not dark pink) tongue could indicate as something as simple as a B vitamin deficiency, which can be remedied by supplementation. Scarlet fever, eczema, and Kawasaki disease may also cause your tongue to turn red. Red patches with white borders along your tongue is a rare, but harmless condition called geographic tongue.
• Purple. Heart problems and poor overall blood circulation may cause your tongue to turn purple. A purple tongue may also be seen in Kawasaki disease.
• Blue. Blue tongue may be indicative of poor oxygen circulation in the blood. This may be attributed to lung problems or kidney disease.
• Yellow. Your tongue may have a yellow appearance if you smoke or use chewing tobacco. Sometimes jaundice and psoriasis may also cause yellow tongue.
• Grey. Sometimes digestive issues may cause your tongue to turn grey. Peptic ulcers or eczema may also be to blame.
• White. A white tongue is usually caused by white patches that grow on the surface. These are usually caused by fungal infections, such as oral thrush. Antifungal medications can clear these patches up. White tongue may also be caused by benign conditions such as leucoplakia or oral lichen planus, which creates the appearance of white lines. Sometimes leucoplakia may become cancerous.
• Brown. This is usually harmless and caused by what you eat and drink. However, tobacco use is another cause of brown tongue, a harmful habit that could potentially lead to signs of oral cancer in the tongue, such as sores.
• Black. A dark brown to black tongue is most commonly attributed to bacteria from poor oral hygiene habits. Diabetes is another potential cause of a black tongue. Sometimes your papillae can multiply and look hairy, which is a characteristic of a benign condition called hairy black tongue.

Tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine

Health diagnoses by tongue has long been done by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. According to TCM principles, the tongue itself is considered a representation of your overall health.

There are four main areas of the tongue observed in TCM:

1.     Color. Tongue color is considered the most important indication of all in TCM. Abnormal color changes over the long term could indicate issues with major body organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

2.     Coating. While a healthy tongue ought to have a thin whitish coating, TCM notes that a thicker coating could indicate an acute issue with your bladder, stomach, or intestines.

3.     Moisture. The moisture of your tongue is also investigated in TCM. Too much moisture indicates “dampness” in your body, while a dry tongue is the exact opposite.

4.     Shape. TCM also considers the shape of your tongue as an important indicator of your health. For example, a thin tongue may indicate fluid loss.

These TCM tongue principles are also being used in clinical studies. This is especially the case with tongue color. One study found that color had a disease diagnosis accuracy rate of nearly 92 percent.

When to see a doctor

Long-term changes in color
Your tongue might look slightly darker or lighter from day to day. However, any long-term changes in color noted above should warrant a visit to the doctor.

Changes in size or shape
You’ll also want to see your doctor if you notice changes in the shape of your tongue, such as swelling, unusual lumps, or thinning.

Changes in moisture or coating
Any changes in moisture and coating also ought to be looked at, especially if you notice thick whitish or yellowish film on your tongue. This type of coating could extend to other areas of the mouth, which could indicate an infection.

Notable changes in your tongue should be looked at by a doctor or dentist

Changes in your tongue may be observed by a doctor during your annual physical. However, if you notice any tongue changes in between your yearly visits, have it checked out by a doctor.

Your dentist will also take a look at your tongue during check-ups to look for signs of an infection or oral cancer.

The takeaway

You may not “see” your tongue on a regular basis, but this often-overlooked body part can provide numerous insights into your overall health.

It’s important to clean your tongue every day so you quickly observe any potential changes. You can use a tongue scraper or do it with your toothbrush while brushing your teeth.

You should see a doctor if any changes in your tongue last for more than two weeks.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system.

I can guarantee that, once you start a regular practice of tongue scraping, you will be hooked. After a few weeks, you will notice a significant difference. Your mouth will feel fresher and your taste buds more alive. Personally, I cannot imagine leaving the house before scraping.

Choose a stainless-steel scraper because they are easier to clean and are ideal for balancing for all Ayurvedic constitutions and imbalances.

Plaque is an important source for salivary mutants’ streptococci and the tongue provides the largest bacterial load compared to any other oral tissues and makes the greatest contribution to bacteria. In the evaluation of caries risk, it is thus interesting to estimate the effects of mechanical tongue cleaning techniques on plaque.

Cleaning Your Tongue: Fresh Breath and Much More