Tongue cleaner

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Tongue cleaner
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Tongue scraper
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Tongue brush
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Tongue cleaner

A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the coating on the upper surface of the tongue. While there is tentative benefit from the use of a tongue cleaner it is insufficient to draw clear conclusions regarding bad breath. [1]

Contents

The large surface area and lingual papilla are anatomical features of the tongue that promote tongue coating by retaining microorganisms and oral debris consisting of food, saliva and dead epithelial cells. [2] [3] [4] Tongue cleaning is done less often than tooth brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. [2] [3]

Health effects

Breath

While there is tentative benefit from the use of a tongue cleaner it is insufficient to draw clear conclusions with respect to bad breath. [1]

Some studies have shown that it is the bacteria on the tongue which often produce malodorous compounds and fatty acids that may account for 80–85% of all cases of bad breath. [5] [6] The remaining 15–20% of cases originate in the stomach, from the tonsils, from decaying food stuck between the teeth, gum disease, dental caries (cavities or tooth decay) or plaque accumulated on the teeth. [4] In addition, degradation of oral debris by microorganisms produce organosulfur compounds (volatile sulphur compounds) on the posterior (rear) of the tongue. [1] [4]

Aesthetics

The tongue is normally pink in appearance. [4] It may acquire a white or colored coating due to diet, reduced salivary flow, reduced oral hygiene or tongue anatomy. [2] [4] The thickness of the tongue coating can also vary. [2] [3] Tongue cleaning can reduce this coating to make it cleaner and to help return it to its natural pink color. [3] [1]

Dental caries and periodontal disease

The tongue surface can be a reservoir for tooth pathogens and periodontal pathogens. [7] It can contribute to the recolonization of tooth surfaces. [7] People with periodontal disease are more likely to have a thicker tongue coating and a microbial flora that produces more volatile sulphur compounds compared to those who have healthy periodontal tissues. [1] [4] Tongue cleaning might help to reduce halitosis, dental caries and periodontal disease. [2]

Side effects

Tongue cleaning can cause discomfort. [3] Improper use of a tongue cleaner may induce the gag reflex and/or vomiting. [1] [2] Aggressive use of a tongue cleaner may also cause irritation or ulcers. [8] Some people have inappropriately used the tongue cleaner to scrape or brush the lingual tonsils (tongue tonsils). [9]

There has been one reported case where a woman possibly had infective endocarditis from bacteremia following the use of a tongue cleaner. Individuals with previous infective endocarditis and high-risk cardiac valves may be at a higher risk from bacteremia. [10]

History

A traditional ayurvedic tongue cleaner made of copper popularly used in Indian subcontinent Tongue Scraper Ayurvedic Copper.png
A traditional ayurvedic tongue cleaner made of copper popularly used in Indian subcontinent

Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine, recommends tongue cleaning as part of one's daily hygiene regimen, to remove the toxic debris, known as Ama. [11] [12] Tongue cleaning has existed in Ayurvedic practice since ancient times, using tongue scrapers made from copper, silver, gold, tin or brass. [11] In modern time, plastic scrapers are used in India and the Far East. [11]

Tongue hygiene has been practiced for centuries in Africa, Arabia, Europe, South America and many eastern and oriental cultures. [2] [4] [10] The various materials used for tongue cleaners include thin flexible wood sections, metals, ivory, mother-of-pearl, whalebone, celluloid, tortoiseshell, and plastic. [12]

Western civilizations placed less emphasis on tongue cleaning. [4] [12] Between the 15th and 19th century, tongue cleaning was primarily practiced by those who were affluent. [2] It was recorded in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries that Romans also performed tongue cleaning. [12] In the 20th century, a wide variety of tongue cleaning devices came on the commercial market. [11]

Types

The top surface of the tongue can be cleaned using a tongue cleaner, a tongue brush/scraper or a toothbrush. [1] [2] However, toothbrushes are not considered as effective for this purpose because they have a smaller width and are designed for brushing teeth, which have a solid structure unlike the spongy tissue of the tongue. [6] This can reduce its ability to remove debris and microorganisms. [6] Some toothbrush designs have projections on the back of their heads to act as a tongue cleaner. [1]

Ergonomic tongue cleaners are shaped in accordance with the anatomy of the tongue, and are optimized to lift and trap the plaque coating and effectively clean the surface of the tongue. [2] There are many different types of tongue cleaners. They can be plastic or metal straps, plastic and/or small brush bristles that form "rakes" or circular devices with handles. [2] Their effectiveness varies depending on the shape, dimensions, configuration, quality of the contact surfaces and materials used. Tongue cleaners are mostly inexpensive, small, easy to clean and durable. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mouthwash</span> Liquid rinse for oral hygiene

Mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse, or mouth bath is a liquid which is held in the mouth passively or swirled around the mouth by contraction of the perioral muscles and/or movement of the head, and may be gargled, where the head is tilted back and the liquid bubbled at the back of the mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Periodontal disease</span> Disease of the tissues surrounding the teeth (periodontium)

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed. It is considered the main cause of tooth loss for adults worldwide. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or fall out. Halitosis may also occur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toothbrush</span> Oral hygiene tool

A toothbrush is a special type of brush used to clean the teeth, gums, and tongue. It consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles, atop of which toothpaste can be applied, mounted on a handle which facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. They should be used in conjunction with something to clean between the teeth where the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach - for example floss, tape or interdental brushes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad breath</span> Presence of unpleasant odors in exhaled breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a symptom in which a noticeably unpleasant breath odour is present. It can result in anxiety among those affected. It is also associated with depression and symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits (tartar) not removed by routine cleaning. Those with dentures and natural teeth may supplement their cleaning with a denture cleaner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dental floss</span> Cord of thin filaments used in interdental cleaning

Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments, typically made of nylon or silk, used in interdental cleaning to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth or places a toothbrush has difficulty reaching or is unable to reach. Its regular use as part of oral cleaning is intended to maintain oral health.

Sonicare is the brand name of an electric toothbrush produced by Philips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric toothbrush</span> Oral hygiene instrument

An electric toothbrush, motorized toothbrush, or battery-powered toothbrush is a toothbrush that makes rapid automatic bristle motions, either back-and-forth oscillation or rotation-oscillation, in order to clean teeth. Motions at sonic speeds or below are made by a motor. In the case of ultrasonic toothbrushes, ultrasonic motions are produced by a piezoelectric crystal. A modern electric toothbrush is usually powered by a rechargeable battery charged through inductive charging when the brush sits in the charging base between uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dental abrasion</span> Medical condition

Abrasion is the non-carious, mechanical wear of tooth from interaction with objects other than tooth-tooth contact. It most commonly affects the premolars and canines, usually along the cervical margins. Based on clinical surveys, studies have shown that abrasion is the most common but not the sole aetiological factor for development of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) and is most frequently caused by incorrect toothbrushing technique.

Periodontology or periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. A periodontist is a dentist that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oral irrigator</span> Dental care device

An oral irrigator is a home dental care device which uses a stream of high-pressure pulsating water intended to remove dental plaque and food debris between teeth and below the gum line. Regular use of an oral irrigator is believed to improve gingival health. The devices may also provide easier cleaning for braces and dental implants. However, more research is needed to confirm plaque biofilm removal and effectiveness when used by patients with special oral or systemic health needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miswak</span> Teeth cleaning twig

The miswak is a teeth-cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree. The miswak's properties have been described thus: "Apart from their antibacterial activity which may help control the formation and activity of dental plaque, they can be used effectively as a natural toothbrush for teeth cleaning. Such sticks are effective, inexpensive, common, available, and contain many medical properties".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gingival recession</span> Exposure in the roots of the teeth

Gingival recession, also known as gum recession and receding gums, is the exposure in the roots of the teeth caused by a loss of gum tissue and/or retraction of the gingival margin from the crown of the teeth. Gum recession is a common problem in adults over the age of 40, but it may also occur starting in adolescence, or around the age of 10. It may exist with or without concomitant decrease in crown-to-root ratio. 85% of the world population has gingival recession on at least one tooth with denuded root surface ≥1.0 mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooth brushing</span> Act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush

Tooth brushing is the act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush equipped with toothpaste. Interdental cleaning can be useful with tooth brushing, and together these two activities are the primary means of cleaning teeth, one of the main aspects of oral hygiene. The recommended amount of time for tooth brushing is two minutes each time for two times a day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oral hygiene</span> Cleaning the mouth by brushing the teeth and cleaning in between the teeth

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's oral cavity clean and free of disease and other problems by regular brushing of the teeth and adopting good hygiene habits. It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease and bad breath. The most common types of dental disease are tooth decay and gum diseases, including gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Dental pertains to the teeth, including dentistry. Topics related to the dentistry, the human mouth and teeth include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tongue disease</span> Medical condition

Tongue diseases can be congenital or acquired, and are multiple in number. Considered according to a surgical sieve, some example conditions which can involve the tongue are discussed below. Glossitis is a general term for tongue inflammation, which can have various etiologies, e.g. infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gingivitis</span> Inflammation of the gums

Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums; ulitis is an alternative term. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms that are attached to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis. Most forms of gingivitis are plaque-induced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Periodontal abscess</span> Collection of pus within tissues surrounding a tooth

A periodontal abscess, is a localized collection of pus within the tissues of the periodontium. It is a type of dental abscess. A periodontal abscess occurs alongside a tooth, and is different from the more common periapical abscess, which represents the spread of infection from a dead tooth. To reflect this, sometimes the term "lateral (periodontal) abscess" is used. In contrast to a periapical abscess, periodontal abscesses are usually associated with a vital (living) tooth. Abscesses of the periodontium are acute bacterial infections classified primarily by location.

Interdental cleaning or interproximal cleaning is part of oral hygiene where the aim is to clean the areas in between the teeth, otherwise known as the proximal surfaces of teeth. This is to remove the dental plaque in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. The ultimate goal of interproximal cleaning is to prevent the development of interproximal caries and periodontal disease. The combined use of tooth brushing, and mechanical and manual interdental cleaning devices has been proven to reduce the prevalence of caries and periodontal diseases.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Van der Sleen, Mi; Slot, De; Van Trijffel, E; Winkel, Eg; Van der Weijden, Ga (2010-11-01). "Effectiveness of mechanical tongue cleaning on breath odour and tongue coating: a systematic review". International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 8 (4): 258–268. doi:10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00479.x. ISSN   1601-5037. PMID   20961381.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Christensen, G. J. (1998-11-01). "Why clean your tongue?". Journal of the American Dental Association. 129 (11): 1605–1607. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.1998.0109. ISSN   0002-8177. PMID   9818580.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bordas, Alice; McNab, Rod; Staples, Angela M.; Bowman, Jim; Kanapka, Joe; Bosma, Marylynn P. (2008-04-01). "Impact of different tongue cleaning methods on the bacterial load of the tongue dorsum". Archives of Oral Biology. 53 Suppl 1: S13–18. doi:10.1016/S0003-9969(08)70004-9. ISSN   0003-9969. PMID   18460399.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Danser, M. M; Gómez, S. Mantilla; Van der Weijden, G. A (2003-08-01). "Tongue coating and tongue brushing: a literature review". International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 1 (3): 151–158. doi: 10.1034/j.1601-5037.2003.00034.x . ISSN   1601-5037. PMID   16451515.
  5. ↑ Van Den Broek, Amwt; Feenstra, L; De Baat, C (2008-01-01). "A review of the current literature on management of halitosis". Oral Diseases. 14 (1): 30–39. doi:10.1111/j.1601-0825.2006.01350.x. ISSN   1601-0825. PMID   18173446.
  6. 1 2 3 Pedrazzi, Vinícius; Sato, Sandra; de Mattos, Maria da Gĺoria Chiarello; Lara, Elza Helena Guimarães; Panzeri, Heitor (2004-07-01). "Tongue-cleaning methods: a comparative clinical trial employing a toothbrush and a tongue scraper". Journal of Periodontology. 75 (7): 1009–1012. doi:10.1902/jop.2004.75.7.1009. ISSN   0022-3492. PMID   15341360.
  7. 1 2 Faveri, Marcelo; Feres, Magda; Shibli, Jamil Awad; Hayacibara, Roberto F.; Hayacibara, Mitsue M.; de Figueiredo, Luciene Cristina (2006-09-01). "Microbiota of the dorsum of the tongue after plaque accumulation: an experimental study in humans". Journal of Periodontology. 77 (9): 1539–1546. doi:10.1902/jop.2006.050366. ISSN   0022-3492. PMID   16945032.
  8. ↑ Ebrahim, Zakiyah. "Can brushing your tongue damage your taste buds – and how safe are tongue scrapers? We ask a dentist". Life. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  9. ↑ Yaegaki, K.; Coil, J. M. (2000-05-01). "Examination, classification, and treatment of halitosis; clinical perspectives". Journal (Canadian Dental Association). 66 (5): 257–261. ISSN   1488-2159. PMID   10833869.
  10. 1 2 Redmond, Andrew M.; Meiklejohn, Cathryn; Kidd, Timothy J.; Horvath, Robert; Coulter, Christopher (2007-09-01). "Endocarditis after use of tongue scraper". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 13 (9): 1440–1441. doi:10.3201/eid1309.070544. ISSN   1080-6040. PMC   2857304 . PMID   18252139.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Rupesh, S; Winnier, Jj; Nayak, Ua; Rao, Ap; Reddy, V; Peter, J (2012-05-01). "The comparative evaluation of the effects of tongue cleaning on salivary levels of mutans streptococci in children". International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 10 (2): 107–112. doi:10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00522.x. ISSN   1601-5037. PMID   21797979.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Beekmans, Dg; Slot, De; Van der Weijden, Ga (2016-02-01). "User perception on various designs of tongue scrapers: an observational survey" (PDF). International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 15 (4): e1 –e8. doi:10.1111/idh.12204. ISSN   1601-5037. PMID   26865433. S2CID   10096526.
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