A dental expert isn’t holding his tongue about a viral oral hygiene trend that could do more harm than good — and even kill you.
Dr. Kelcey Loveland from Celebrate Dental and Braces in Las Vegas has issued a stark warning about the increasingly popular practice of tongue scraping.
“What many don’t understand is that a tongue scraper can create small, invisible cuts in tongue tissue, allowing bacteria direct access to the bloodstream,” Loveland said in a statement.
“For someone with a heart valve issue, this could potentially lead to endocarditis, which has a mortality rate between 15-30%,” he added. “Patients with heart valve issues should be particularly cautious about any oral care tools that could introduce bacteria into the bloodstream.”
These tools pose similar risks to people with abnormal cardiac valves, pacemakers or other intravascular devices, he noted.
A 54.6% surge in Google searches over the last five years has propelled tongue scraping to social media stardom.
“Statistics collected over the past decade show between 10-30% of Americans report bad breath and may be tempted to try tongue scrapers marketed as a solution,” Loveland said.
These wellness warriors may end up aggressively scraping away food debris — and eroding their oral health.
In one instance, Prince Charles Hospital in Australia documented patients who developed severe infections shortly after they began tongue scraping regularly.
UCLA Health experts warn that “brushing or scraping the tongue adversely affects the numbers and diversity of the oral microbiome,” which can, in turn, “lead to hypertension.”
Loveland cautions that tongue scrapers can also create a false sense of security, leading users to think their breath issues are solved — when the real problem might be gum disease, cavities or even digestive disorders.
“These [issues] need professional assessment and treatment, not just masking symptoms with a tongue scraper,” he said. “If bad breath persists, consider consulting a dental professional rather than self-treating with tongue scrapers.”
But some experts hail the power of the tongue scraper.
“Tongue scraping can do a better job at removing that plaque and bacteria off the tongue’s surface,” Cleveland Clinic dental hygienist Tenika Patterson said.
“Brushing is OK to do, but think about it this way — if your carpet is dirty and you scrub it, the dirt’s going to get embedded down in there. But if you scrape it, it’s going to come right off the surface.”
Some studies also suggest tongue scraping is extremely effective at eliminating bad breath and reducing bacteria — potentially even more so than brushing.
Still, Loveland maintains that the safest way to clean your tongue might be the old-fashioned way.
“For those concerned about tongue health, gently brushing your tongue with your toothbrush after you’ve finished cleaning your teeth provides adequate cleaning without the risks associated with scrapers,” he said.
“It is much safer than a rigid scraper as softer bristles are less likely to cause trauma to the delicate tissues, while still removing food particles and dead cells that may contribute to bad breath.”
And, he notes, don’t forget that good oral hygiene means brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly and getting routine check-ups.
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