Here’s the thing about a tongue scraper—when it comes to your health there is probably no better low cost solution that provides so much bang for your buck.
For less than $10 you can have a full-on detox program happening in your bathroom every morning.
The first thing that the Chinese medicine doctor I see looks at is fingernails and tongues, as a diagnostic tool for what might be happening deeper inside.
Have you looked at your tongue recently?
The different colors that your tongue might show can be indicative of other issues.
Is it covered with a white film? A thin white film might not be bad but a thick heavy layer might reflect problems with the digestive system. A pale tongue might indicate a lack of energy while a bright red tongue might suggest a vitamin and nutrient deficiency.
Different schools of thought ascribe different qualities to the coatings of the tongue but they all consider tongue health to be essential and often an accurate indicator of other problems.
It is good for general tooth maintenance as well.
Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush is an option but not nearly as effective at getting into the nooks and crannies that house bacteria.
The tongue, especially towards the back, covered with taste buds and papillae, which give the tongue its texture but also forms an environment that rolls out a red carpet for bacteria.
The purpose of the taste buds is self-explanatory while the papillae are involved with the senses of touch, taste, and smell.
Tongue bacteria will also affect tooth and gum health so if you are serious about brushing and flossing there is good reason to add a tongue scraper to the mix.
Who knows why, after months of dormancy, I picked up my tongue scraper and started using it again? It never goes away but for some reason I use it in waves.
One thing is for certain though. I am always shocked by the sludge that comes off of my tongue.
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