Should You Scrape Your Tongue Before or After Brushing?

Should You Use a Tongue Scraper Before or After Brushing Your Teeth?

Tongue scraping is an ancient oral hygiene practice that removes bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. With proven benefits for bad breath and overall oral health, tongue scraping is growing in popularity.

But when is the ideal time to scrape your tongue - before or after brushing your teeth? There are good arguments on both sides. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what fits best into your unique oral care routine.

What is Tongue Scraping?

Tongue scraping involves using a specially designed U-shaped metal or plastic implement to clean the top surface of the tongue. It differs from brushing in that it removes buildup rather than just moving it around.

To tongue scrape properly:

• Stick out your tongue as far as is comfortable
• Place the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue
• Gently pull forward to remove debris
• Rinse scraper clean before next stroke
• Repeat strokes from back to front until tongue appears clean

Aim to scrape the entire surface area, reaching as far back as you can tolerate. Rinsing your mouth afterward removes any excess bacteria and residue.

Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Research shows that regular tongue scraping may provide the following benefits:

• Fresher breath - Scraping removes sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.
• Cleaner mouthfeel - Your tongue will feel less coated and fuzzy.
• Reduced plaque - Bacteria buildup on the tongue contributes to plaque.
• Healthier gums - Less bacteria leads to less gum inflammation.
• Improved taste - Food and drinks taste better with a cleaner palette.

Tongue scraping reaches places a toothbrush can't, dislodging bacteria and residue before they reattach to oral surfaces. Think of your tongue as a breeding ground - regularly clearing away layers helps maintain a healthier mouth.

Scraping Before Brushing Pros

There are some advantages to scraping your tongue before brushing your teeth:

• Dislodges plaque - Scraping may help loosen plaque to be cleared away by brushing.
• Freshens breath for day - Your morning breath will be cleaner going into the day.
• Preps palette for eating - Food will taste better if you scrape before breakfast.
• Habit stacking - Link it to your existing morning routine.

The main argument for scraping first thing is that it prepares your mouth for the rest of your oral care regimen. Clearing the “gunk” away allows brushing and flossing to be more effective.

Scraping After Brushing Pros

On the other hand, there are some upsides to scraping your tongue after brushing:

• Removes toothpaste residue - Gets rid of lingering minty flavor.
• Disinfects cuts - Brushing first can clean out any tongue wounds.
• Freshens post-brushing palette - Great before eating breakfast.
• Satisfying finish - Scraping at the end feels like completing your routine.

The main perk of tongue scraping last is that you end with a freshly cleaned palette. It’s more motivating to finish a regimen on a positive zing than a gross grime removal.

Is There a “Correct” Order?

Dental professionals tend to be divided on whether it's better to scrape your tongue before or after brushing. There are reasonable cases to be made for both sequences.

Some argue clearing bacteria first allows brushing to be more effective. However, others say brushing and rinsing prepares the tongue's surface for deeper scraping.

Research has not conclusively proven that either order delivers significantly better results in areas like plaque reduction or bad breath prevention.

For most people, any tongue scraping is better than none. Consistency also matters more than exact order. Ultimately, it comes down to when tongue scraping best fits into your personal oral hygiene flow.

Other Oral Health Considerations

While sequence matters less than doing it at all, here are some other factors to consider with your specific oral health profile when deciding when to scrape your tongue:

• Gag reflex - Scraping after brushing ensures you have clean mouth if gagging occurs.
• Medications - Some meds cause dry mouth or coat the tongue, so scraping after may remove film.
• Braces - Brushing first helps clean around braces before scraping.
• Dental work - If you have sensitive areas, brush first to avoid pain.

You know your individual oral health needs best. Tailor when you scrape your tongue to suit your situation while maintaining consistency.

Best Practices for Tongue Scraping

To maximize the benefits of tongue scraping, keep these tips in mind:

• Scrape gently - no need to apply pressure.
• Aim for at least 4-5 full strokes from back to front.
• Rinse scraper often during process.
• Clean scraper thoroughly after use.
• Scrape tongue daily, ideally first thing in morning.
• Don't overdo it - scraping too hard or much can damage tongue.

Investing in a proper tongue scraper tool and replacing it every 3-6 months helps maintain cleanliness. Using proper technique protects soft tongue tissue while removing layers of grime.

The Takeaway

Should you scrape your tongue before or after brushing your teeth? There's no universally agreed upon answer. As long as you do it daily, the order matters less than consistency. Ultimately, choose the sequence that allows tongue scraping to fit seamlessly into your oral care routine for optimal results and habit formation.

Listen to your body - if gagging is an issue, a post-brush scrape may suit you better. Maximizing oral health takes some personalization. But a fresh, healthy mouth feels great whenever you choose to scrape your tongue!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.