Say “AHHHHHHH!”

I have a pretty strict “getting ready for bed” routine at night and a “getting ready for work” routine in the mornings.  The GRFB routine consists mostly of taking off and undoing everything I did in my morning’s GRFW routine.  However, the one thing that remains constant is brushing my teeth, flossing and using my tongue scraper.

old faithful

Tongue health is very important.  So important, in fact, that even Oprah is talking about it…

Big O

Guinness knows it…

Baby Guinness

So why don’t you?!

If you are asking yourself, “gosh, what’s a tongue scraper?” – I only have one thing to say to you: GROSS.  Seriously, GROSS.  I may judge you, and I may refuse to talk with you in close quarters from now on…but I am here to help.  Below, you will find the Q+DD on tongue scraping.  After you are finished reading, please run (don’t walk – this is no laughing matter – RUN!) to your local CVS and form this habit ASAP!

What Is A Tongue Scraper?

A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi and dead cells from the surface of the tongue.  The bacteria and fungi that grow on the tongue are related to many common oral care and general health problems.  In addition, decaying bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds on the rear of the tongue; these molecules account for 80-90% of all cases of halitosis (bad breath).  EWWW.

not me. promise.

Why Is It Tongue Health Important?

Fresh Breath

Tongue cleaning is meant to remove some of the millions of bacteria (up to 500 different types), decaying food debris, fungi (such as Candida) and dead cells from the surface of the rear of the tongue.  Tongue cleaning is generally viewed as the solution for most cases of halitosis, or bad breath.  Scientific studies have shown tongue bacteria produce malodorous compounds and fatty acids, and account for 80-90% of all cases of bad breath.  Research shows that only the rest of about 5-20% of cases originate in the stomach, from the tonsils, from decaying food stuck between the teeth, gum disease, tooth decay or plaque accumulated on the teeth.  Clinical studies have shown that using tongue cleaners on a daily basis has a significant effect on eliminating anaerobic bacteria and decreasing oral malodor.

Better Oral Hygiene

Microorganisms colonize and multiply on the protein-rich areas of the tongue, and eventually, through the saliva, reach all areas of the mouth including the teeth and gums.  These bacteria are considerable contributors to periodontal problems, plaque on the teeth, tooth decay, gum infections, gum recession and even tooth loss.

General Health

Oral bacteria are associated with a number of serious systemic diseases:

• Cardiovascular problems (heart attack, cerebral stroke)
• Pneumonia due to inhaling bacteria present in the mouth
• Premature birth and low fetus weight at birth time
• Increased risk of diabetes patients
• Osteoporosis of the jaw and generalized
• Infertility problems for men  (yikes!!)

Alternative Medicine

Cleaning the tongue with an appropriately designed tongue cleaner also massages the tongue.  This is an important element of traditional Chinese medicine where the tongue surface is identified as an important reflexogenic zone.  Tongue cleaning improves the sense of taste (because of cleaning the taste buds) and also stimulates the secretions of digestive enzymes.

(www.wikipedia.com)

Not Grossing People Out…

I guess you could say that I am not exactly tongue-camera-shy…  Social networking sites, like Facebook and Myspace, will out you in a heartbeat if you aren’t regularly using a tongue scraper.  On average, you will lose 8 – 28% of your online friends.  Fact.

toronto - chinatown

beauty bar

falcons game...

I hope you all have found this post incredibly compelling.  Please, please, PLEASE start scraping today!  It’s long overdue, folks…

xx, L