We suggest cleaning the tongue cleaner regularly - every few weeks - by rubbing it with baking soda paste (rather than a chemical cleaning agent). This helps get rid of any residue that may have built up on the stainless steel.

It depends on the individual condition, but the results can be instant. Certainly much of the coating gets removed immediately. It’s like washing the body. A clean body or clean tongue doesn’t smell bad.

The truth is that millions of people know about it.

It is common practice in many Asian and older cultures. Tongue cleaning was also practiced by ancient Romans and by the wealthier classes in 18th and 19th century Europe. However, for some unknown reasons, the practice did not spread widely in the West.

But now, with more research verifying its benefits, and with TV and other publicity, many dentists and hygienists are recommending it. In fact, since DrTung's introduced tongue cleaning to the USA in the mid-nineties, we have become a household name in the health industry.

Stainless steel doesn’t wear out and is impervious to bacteria (unlike plastic).

There are 3 basic kinds of tongue cleaners available – our U-shaped stainless steel cleaner (can be used with 1 or 2 hands); one-handed cleaners which are usually T-shaped or have rounded heads; or brushes.

We believe the U-shaped design is best as it can easily clean the back of the tongue, where most bacteria reside. Using 2 hands give precise control over the pressure and position of the cleaner. This seemingly simple design has evolved over centuries and gives precise control over the position and pressure of the cleaner on the tongue, making it easy to use and overcoming the gagging problem caused by too much pressure on the tongue (as when trying to clean it with a brush or other one-handed cleaners).

Brushes are good for applying something like paste or a viscous substance to harder surfaces, like teeth. They are generally not effective in removing such viscous substance, especially from a soft object like the tongue.

Research shows that tongue cleaning can help prevent plaque buildup on the teeth, remove the coating on the tongue and improve our taste perception (because the coating on the tongue dulls the taste receptors). Many people report that they get far less colds and flu. It is good for overall health!

Twice a day is usually sufficient. Most people do it upon waking and before going to bed, which helps prevent morning breath. Some people also like to clean their tongue after each meal. It only takes 10 or 15 seconds each time.

Although some people brush their tongue with a toothbrush, most dentists and hygienists agree that a tongue cleaner (tongue scraper) is a far better tool. Also, research shows that toothbrushes are less than half as effective in removing bio-burden from the tongue. Toothbrushes are designed for cleaning teeth. Tongue cleaners are designed to clean tongues, which are very different from teeth! A tongue cleaner such as Dr. Tung’s U-shaped cleaner is designed to gently “scrape" off the unwanted bacteria and soft plaque, even from the back of the tongue where most "bad breath" bacteria are found. Tongue scraping removes far more bacteria than tongue brushing.

Perio Sticks are made from selected parts of the Nordic birch tree. Only a small amount of the wood from each tree has the qualities suitable for our shaped, flattened Perio Sticks - the wood must be both strong and flexible. The wood is harvested from sustainably managed forests in Scandinavia, and is not treated with dyes or flavoring.

Even our THIN Perio Sticks are far thinner than regular toothpicks or any dental stick available at a drugstore. The shape and thinness allows them to easily penetrate between the teeth and remove plaque and food particles. Plus, they are so comfortable you may find yourself recommending the clean feeling to your friends! Our X-THIN Perio Sticks are the thinnest sticks available anywhere and are especially useful for those with extra-tight spaces between teeth.

The best technique  is to moisten the Perio Sticks in the mouth for about 30 seconds before using. They then become pliable and can bend up to 60 degrees!. Not only does this help prevent them from breaking, but it enables you to clean those hard-to-reach areas at the back of your mouth.

Smart Floss® expands during use to create a larger surface area to disrupt plaque. It is therefore no surprise that research shows that Smart Floss removes up to 55% more plaque than leading floss brands, with a total reduction of 70% compared to not flossing.  The few minutes you spend flossing can be more productive when using Smart Floss. Why use anything less effective?

Yes, at DrTung’s, we prioritize the health of our patients and the planet by using eco-friendly packaging, including biodegradable and compostable materials.

Our Patient Sample packaging is made with EcoPure, an innovative technology that allows the microbes in an active microbial environment to colonize on the plastic and digest the polymer. The outer wrapping is made from cellulose which is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging, and is biodegradable and compostable.

• Wrap 18" (45cm) of floss around fingers & draw tight.
• Tug and release. The floss expands!
• Slide floss between teeth, curve it around tooth and clean between tooth and gum with gentle up and down motion.
• Repeat using a clean section between each tooth.

Smart Floss® is flavored with natural cardamom essential oil and lightly coated with a vegetable/bees wax blend. It contains beeswax plus one or more of candelila, carnauba, castor oil and rice bran wax.  It does not contain genetically modified ingredients, known allergens, phthalates, soy or silica, and is dairy-free, gluten-free and fluoride-free.

As part of our company's ongoing mission to reduce single use plastic waste, we developed the paperboard, biodegradable, FSC certified dispenser for our Smart Floss. 

The plastic model was phased out in mid-2022 and we no longer have any of the plastic dispensers available.

Yes! Clinical studies show that Smart Floss significantly reduces gum bleeding. In fact, Smart Floss significantly reduces gum bleeding, with a 50.62% reduction in the bleeding index. Smart Floss is also clinically proven to reduce plaque by almost 70% compared to not flossing, which is crucial in preventing gum disease and improving overall gum health.

Smart Floss Material: Smart Floss is made of polyester fibers like many flosses. Unlike other flosses, Smart Floss is made in a proprietary, patented process that gives a softer, expanded effect while flossing. It is clinically proven to remove up to 55% more plaque than traditional brands. Why don't we use natural materials like silk or cotton? We have opted not to use silk due to the heavy processing and the treatment of the silkworms. Plus it cannot be manufactured in the same way as Smart Floss and thus would be less effective in removing plaque. Cotton was once used as dental floss. However, it’s no longer popular because it frays and breaks easily. It can also be harsher on gums and less effective overall.

Wax: To ensure comfortable flossing and to keep the fibers performing effectively, we use a vegetable and beeswax blend. To this, we add our acclaimed natural cardamom essential oil. We do not use petrochemical waxes or artificial flavors.

This is our suggested oil pulling routine.

Click image for more information on how to oil pull

1. Clean tongue and brush teeth  Begin your morning dental health routine by cleaning your tongue with your stainless steel tongue scraper. Then, brush your teeth normally.
2. Use 1 Tablespoon of mixture  You can either use your Dr. Tung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate undiluted or mix 1:3 with a carrier oil.  Either way you will get benefits from the botanical ingredients.
3. Chew, pull, swish Lightly ‘chew on’ and swish oil in mouth for 5-15 minutes. (Chewing activates salivary enzymes which are said to then draw out toxins.)
4. Spit  When done, do not swallow but spit into toilet or trash can (not into sink).
5. Rinse Rinse your mouth with lukewarm, saline water.
6. Repeat Repeat daily for best results.

People have their own preferences and you can mix DrTung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate with organic sesame, sunflower or coconut oil. You may need to gently warm the coconut oil if it is below 76ºF to make it easier to mix. We suggest mixing the whole bottle of concentrate into the carrier oil so it is pre-mixed for your next oil pulling session.

Click image for more information on different oils people use for oil pulling

DrTung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate contains the following Ayurvedic botanicals:

Sesame oil (organic), acacia nilotica*, ficus religiosa*, wild Himalayan cherry*, cardamom extract (organic), banyan tree, acacia catechu*, lodh tree*, Indian madder*, eagle wood*, Indian gall-nut*, Indian gooseberry, gmelina arborea*, long-leaved pine*, spikenard*, stone flowers, sandalwood*, woodfordia fruticosa*, deodar*, licorice*, clove*, lotus seed, lemongrass, turmeric, nutgrass, nutmeg, cinnamon, camphor.   * Wild Harvested

Oil pulling done with plain oils such as coconut, sunflower or sesame does not provide as much benefit compared with using DrTung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate.

Plain oils provide a detoxifying affect from chewing and swooshing, whereas our concentrate is like a 3-lane highway with 3 major benefits. If you are oil pulling, why not get 3 complete wellness benefits instead of just one?

• Lane 1 Antibacterial Effect–DrTung's Oil Pulling Concentrate (with 24 Botanicals) has an antibacterial effect on the mouth and gums.
• Lane 2 Nourishing Effect–Organic Black Sesame Oil is very highly regarded as a penetrating “carrier." It transports the health benefits of the Ayurvedic herbs into the gums and through the mucous membranes, thus carrying those benefits into the body.
• Lane 3 Detoxifying Effect–Chewing and swooshing our “super charged” Oil Pulling Concentrate for 5-15 minutes removes toxins.