Have you ever wondered what’s on your tongue? Why does it change colors? Why does it feel thicker and slimier when you wake up? What’s living on that cushy surface?

You might be surprised to learn that hundreds of species of bacteria live on your tongue, doing their best to feed off the biofilm that develops between the times you complete your oral care routine. Oh, and not to mention, there are other microorganisms like yeasts and viruses that can also develop on your tongue, too!

This is why it’s so important to prioritize tongue cleaning during your oral care routine. With products like plastic toothbrushes with a “tongue cleaner” on the opposite side of the bristles and mouthwashes that claim to kill 99% of germs, you might think these things are enough to keep your tongue clean and healthy.

But we’re here to tell you that these methods simply aren’t enough (or in the case of mouthwash, they’re actually too much). We’re going to dive into the different things that live on your tongue and why tongue scraping (when combined with flossing and brushing with premium toothpaste) is one of the best ways to keep your tongue healthy and clean. Of course, we’ll also mention all of the things that make Davids the best tongue scraper out there.

what’s on your tongue?

In its simplest state, your tongue is covered with a soft pink tissue called the mucosa. Within the mucosa live tiny bumps called papillae, which house your taste buds. These taste buds contain tiny collections of nerve-like cells that allow your tongue to send messages to your brain.

Your tongue’s mucosa is typically covered with a biofilm, a thick and gooey coating that feeds the bacteria in your mouth. Your oral microbiome (aka the ecosystem of your mouth) is home to up to 700 species of bacteria, many of which get cozy on your tongue. Because it has such a soft, porous surface, bacteria can easily penetrate and settle in. Interestingly, scientists have found that specific types of bacteria tend to settle on different areas of the tongue, creating little communities and neighborhoods. 

In addition to bacteria, your tongue might be home to oral pathogens (bad bacteria or viruses) or yeast (also known as oral thrush or candida) which can create a white film on the surface of your tongue and often feel “cottony”.

why use a tongue scraper to clean it?

Biofilm regrows on your tongue daily, so it’s extremely important to address it during your oral care routine. Because your tongue is such a porous, absorbent surface, and biofilm is such a thick, sticky substance....brushing alone cannot effectively clean your tongue.

This is where a tongue scraper comes in. Tongue scraping daily (we recommend doing it right after brushing with Davids) can help remove biofilm and stagnant bacteria from your tongue, refreshing your tongue and preventing unwanted oral conditions (such as bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay).

Although scientists haven’t fully identified all of the hundreds of bacteria that live in our oral microbiomes, they still have strong reason to believe that some of these bacteria are actually beneficial. This is why we recommend tongue scraping over using a chemical mouthwash that “kills 99% of germs” and wipes other beneficial organisms along the way.

Not to mention, those chemical mouthwashes can disrupt the pH of your mouth, create mouth sores, and cause uncomfortable burning sensations. When you use a tongue scraper, you don’t have to worry about these things. Tongue scraping is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that has been known to pose many benefits, some of which include:

• ridding of bad bacteria
• reducing your body’s toxic load
• stimulating your tissues and organs
• promoting digestion and gut health
• improving taste
• correcting bad breath

And more. As you can see the benefits of tongue scraping extend beyond the mouth. Not to mention, it’s a sustainable, waste-free way to care for your oral and overall health. What an incredible way to sustain nature+you!

what makes ours the best tongue scraper?

With so many tongue scrapers on the market, we’re here to help you pick the best one. Here are some of the things that set the Davids tongue scraper apart from the rest.

• it’s stainless steel: why does this matter? Well, stainless steel is durable, non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and hypoallergenic. It won’t break or fray from everyday use, so you don’t have to worry about our tongue scraper developing sharp edges or getting messed up in the dishwasher. It’s made to last, so you have a sustainable, long-lasting tool for everyday tongue cleaning.
• it can single-handedly clean your mouth: (pun intended) while we don’t recommend an oral care routine with just tongue scraping alone (pair it with our  toothpaste and awesome bamboo toothbrush), we mean you can literally use our tongue scraper with one hand. Most tongue scrapers on the market have a two-handed arch design, making them kinda big and awkward to maneuver. Ours is smaller and easier to handle, allowing you to reach areas of your tongue that others simply wouldn’t get to (in a way that avoids activating your gag reflex).
• it’s designed and preferred by professionals: this unique design was made by dental professionals. No wonder it’s used as an example in dental schools!

There you have it: an effective tongue scraper you can use (effortlessly, with one hand) over and over again. Your cleanest, freshest tongue is just around the corner. What are you waiting for?

buy now.