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% to 85% of all cases of bad breath. [5] [6] The remaining 15% to 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

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

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. Bad breath may also occur.

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

A toothbrush is an oral hygiene tool 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

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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

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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.

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

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

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<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. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms that is attached to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis. Most forms of gingivitis are plaque-induced.

Oral health can be difficult for pet owners and veterinary teams to manage in cats, particularly for pets whose owners are not committed to regular tooth brushing and/or dental treats. Oral disease is common among cats, and may lead to other health issues such as bacterial infections of major organs including the heart, kidneys and liver. When pet owners are aware of the benefits of supporting good oral health in cats, this substantially improves positive outcomes. Dietary selection, along with at-home-dental-hygiene care, allows cat owners to influence the oral status of their pets.

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

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  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.