Tongue Cleaners: The Epic Quest for Your Perfect Match

Tongue scraping, the movement taking TikTok by storm, has become the talk of the town! From A-list celebrities to your next-door neighbor, everyone's jumping on the tongue scraping bandwagon. 

Who knew removing tongue gunk could be so mesmerizing? You’re scrolling through your feed and suddenly realize your tongue needs some TLC too.  You decide to join the masses, grab a fancy tongue scraper, and embrace the #TongueScrapingChallenge. After all, if it's good enough for the stars, it's definitely worth a try! 

The next step...picking the best tongue cleaner for you.  We have you covered, but before diving in, let’s start with a little history. We promise to keep it short(ish).

Tongue Scraping: From East to West

Tongue scraping may seem like the latest fad in the Western world, but its roots actually stretch back thousands of years to ancient practices in the East. Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine have long recognized the importance of tongue scraping for overall oral health and bodily well-being.

Fast forward to modern times, and tongue scraping is finally gaining the attention it deserves in the Western world. People are realizing that oral hygiene goes beyond just brushing and flossing. A clean tongue not only improves breath, but also reduces harmful bacteria that can lead to various oral health issues.

Ok, so how do you know the best way to clean and the best tools for doing it?  

The Lowdown: Tongue Cleaning 101

What exactly does tongue cleaning do? It’s pretty simple, really. Your tongue is like a cozy apartment for bacteria, food particles, and dead cells. If left unchecked, these unwelcome residents can cause bad breath, affect your taste buds, contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, and may even impact your overall health issues. An effective tongue cleaning removes these unwanted “guests”, leaving you with a fresher and healthier mouth. 

Now, you might be wondering, "Isn't brushing my tongue with a toothbrush enough to clean it?" Short answer…nope!  Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can help a little, but it mostly just spreads the gunk around without actually removing it. That's where a dedicated tongue scraper comes into play, offering a more thorough and effective clean.

The Showdown: Plastic vs. Metal 

When choosing a tongue cleaner, you'll likely come across options made of plastic and metal. Let's see how they stack up against each other:

Plastic Tongue Scrapers: At first glance, plastic might seem like a convenient and inexpensive option. However, there's a catch.  Because plastic is porous, plastic tongue scrapers can harbor bacteria in their nooks and crannies, even after cleaning. They also have the potential to leach harmful chemicals into your mouth. Furthermore, they wear out quickly — lasting only a couple of months before you need to replace them — and typically aren’t recyclable.

Metal Tongue Cleaners: On the other hand, metal tongue scrapers are impervious to bacteria, making them a more hygienic choice. Not only do they provide a superior cleaning experience, but they also boast longevity. With proper care, a high-quality metal tongue scraper can last many, many years.

Now, some might argue that the initial cost of a metal tongue cleaner is slightly higher than its plastic counterpart. But when you factor in the need for frequent replacements with the plastic version, the metal option becomes a clear winner in terms of value. 

Metal tongue scrapers are the triumphant trifecta: they clean better than plastic, keep you and the planet healthier, and last longer than a viral internet trend, ensuring you get your money's worth and then some.

The Best of the Best

Among the numerous options available, DrTung's tongue cleaners are considered a gold standard and well-loved by tongue-cleaning aficionados for top-notch quality and efficiency.  

We've designed our tongue cleaners with TPU handles that are super easy to grip, giving you ultimate control. When you're scraping, you'll have the perfect amount of pressure and precision.

And that's not all! Most metal tongue scrapers out there have a wide bend, but we've intentionally made our tongue cleaners with a narrower bend. Why? Because it lets you reach those hard-to-get areas a little easier, you know, the back of your tongue where bacteria love to hide.  Bonus…that smaller curve helps with the gag-reflex you might notice when you’re first starting out. 

DrTung's Tongue Cleaners come in Stainless Steel and Copper.  Read on to see which one suits you and your lifestyle the best.

DrTung's Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner— Stainless steel is the easiest to care for and super sturdy. You don't need to baby it at all. It's perfect for travel too – just pop it in the travel pouch it comes with and toss in your bag with other toiletries, no worries! To clean, rinse it, pat it dry, and store it in a dry place.

DrTung's Copper Tongue Cleaner— Copper, on the other hand, has some awesome natural properties. It's antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. It's a bit softer than stainless steel, so treat it gently. Cleaning it is similar to stainless steel, but make sure to dry it thoroughly after use. You might also want to give it a good cleaning with lemon juice and salt once in a while.

Ultimately, your choice may depend on your aesthetic preference or if you follow Ayurvedic principles. Copper has a long history of use and has some unique properties. But no matter which one you choose, both will last for years if you take good care of them.

How to Use Your Tongue Cleaner

Using DrTung's tongue cleaner is a walk in the park. Here's a quick guide:
  Stick your tongue out and hold the tongue cleaner with both hands.
  Gently place the cleaner at the back of your tongue.
  Using light pressure, pull the cleaner forward towards the tip of your tongue.
  Rinse the cleaner after each pass to remove the collected debris.
  Repeat until you've removed the milky coating and your tongue feels clean and refreshed.

The Takeaway 

Tongue scraping is one of the best ways to boost your oral care routine and reduce tooth decay and gum disease. Not to mention it beats mouthwash for odor control by a long shot! 

We know you're already committed to scraping your tongue and now you have all the information you need to pick the best tongue scraper for you.  Who knows, you may even be inspired to share your tongue scraping escapades on TikTok with the rest of the #TongueScrapingChallenge. 

Happy scraping!!!