Scrape your tongue for better oral hygeine

Lately I have had a few conversations with people visiting the studio about our tongue scrapers. I moved them from the product shelves onto the counter and they are attracting attention. But many people are amazed by the concept or even find it repulsive.

I am a huge fan of tongue scraping and it now forms a daily part of my oral hygiene, right up there with brushing.

Benefits

• removes bacteria
• reduces bad breath
• improves appearance and sensation of tongue
• improves taste
• improves overall health as it removes all those nasties in the first place

How

You are best to purchase a tongue scraper similar to the one pictured.

• Stand in front of a mirror and stick out your tongue
• place the curved part of the tongue scraper on the back of the tongue
• draw it forwards with gentle pressure
• rinse off the scraper and repeat if you think it is necessary.

If you have a tendency to gag don't go so far back at first, work back gradually over time as you get used to it. You usually only need one or two passes over the tongue. Clean up your scraper in warm soapy water, rinse it, dry and store.

Never try and scrape in the opposite direction.

I find just once a day in the morning is usually all it needs. I scrape my tongue before I clean my teeth in the morning.

So where to get a tongue scraper?

Well we have them, thus the conversations! I currently have copper ones in stock and they have a reputation for being best.

I would always choose a metal one over a plastic one if you can find it. And in my humble opinion the traditional ones similar to the one pictured are still the best, much better than the modern plastic design you might find in a supermarket or pharmacy. But you might have to do a bit of sleuthing to track them down if you can't pop into Yoga spirit Studios to pick one up. (Check out our YogaShop products over here.)

(Author, Tina Shettigara)