Manage Halitosis Through Daily Tongue Cleaning

Cleaning our tongues daily for optimal oral health is probably one of Ayurveda’s most evident contributions to modern lifestyle. Tongue cleaners, also called tongue scrapers, are now available in all materials (plastic, steel, or other metals) and in all shapes (the classical u-shape to different brushes or other flat shapes) not only at pharmacies but at mainstream giant retail stores as well. Cleaning your tongue has become an important step of daily oral hygiene, as research has shown that it can help:

• Eliminate halitosis or bad breath
• Remove bacteria
• Slow the growth of plaque
• Improve taste

Our oral cavities contain millions of more than 500 different types of bacteria! Tongue cleaning not only helps remove bacteria that thrive on the surface – within the bumps and ridges – of our tongues, but they remove micro-molecules of decaying food, fungi such as candida, as well as dead cells. When bad breath (halitosis) is not the result of a chronic medical condition (pneumonia, bronchitis, diabetes, etc), or cavities, inflammation, an upset stomach, inflamed tonsils, gum disease, or plaque, it can be easily and effectively taken care of through daily tongue cleaning. Studies have shown that tongue bacteria produce malodorous compounds and fatty acids that can account for 80-95% of all cases of bad breath. The bacteria that reside on our tongues release volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that cause bad breath. Cleaning your tongue daily, specially the back of your tongue, helps remove these anaerobic bacteria and thus help you contain bad breath. In Ayurveda, cleaning your tongue is part and parcel of your daily morning hygienic ritual.
Bhavmishra in his Bhavaprakash, in the chapter of daily routine or “Dinacharyadiprakarana” says tongue cleaning is called “jihava nirlekan.” 3 metals are primarly recommended as being ideal for tongue scraping or cleaning: gold (haimam), silver(rajat), and copper(tamr). He goes on to explain that when such tongue cleaners are not available – perhaps in rural settings – it is recommended that one use soft-stemmed branches of specific (non-poisonous) kind – such as neem, babool, etc. The stem is split open and then used to rub off debris from the tongue by holding on both ends.
The length of a tongue cleaner should be “dasangulam” – 10 “anguls” or 10 fingers wide. [Please not that this length specifically applies to the portion that is used to clean the tongue. Your tongue cleaner may be longer in addition to the “10 angul” length, as the SVA cleaners shown in the  image below]. Your tongue cleaner should be soft and unctuous – the material should not be rough or irritating to the sensitive tongue surface. It should also be pleasant to the tongue as you slide it on, without wounding or hurting it. The benefits of cleaning your tongue according to Bhavmishra are:

• jihvamal – waste products deposited on your tongue are eliminated
• vairasya – you sharpen and reestablish the clarity of your taste-buds
• remove bad breath, “durgandha,” or haletosis
• remove the stiffness of the tongue, “jadrta haram”- cleaning the tongue enhances circulation and blood flow to it.

In keeping with the traditional ayurvedic recommendations, we are proud to make available for you a silver tongue cleaner made from 92.5% Silver and 7.5% Copper.
Using it for daily tongue cleansing, you will also get the benefit of absorbing traces of pure silver. The benefits of silver for the physiology are multiple:

• supports your immune system
• supports the urinary tract in men and women
• supports the health of the eyes
• is great for intestinal balance and health
• helps ward off the common cold

Copper, when not oxidized, is also great for supporting your immunity. To make sure that your tongue cleaner does not oxidize, wipe it clean and dry after using it every morning.
The best time to clean your tongue is after a good night’s sleep, in the morning upon waking. Here are some tips:

• First: brush your teeth with your SVA toothpaste to release any accumulation from your teeth and gums – the peppermint toothpaste is great for opening clogged dormant channels and cleansing with its content of multiple herbs
• Scrape your tongue with your SVA Silver Tongue Cleaner: place it on the back of your tongue and drag it forward toward the tip of your tongue. Check it for accumulated white or tan colored gunk, wash off under running water and repeat. Sometimes there won’t be any accumulation but you are still getting benefit out of cleaning your tongue as Bhavmishra indicates
• Gargle with plenty of fresh room temperature water
• Apply SVA Oral Mist- Peppermint of Fennel flavor or finish off with the Fresh Mouth-Wash Nectar – drip two drops on your tongue.

You may also experience that cleaning your tongue daily in the mornings gives you a clearer settled mind.

CAUTION: if you have any irritation of the tongue, cuts or open sores, give your tongue a chance to heal before using the cleaner.
If your bad breath persists, talk to your dentist or medical doctor. Gum disease, cavities, or undiagnosed health conditions may be to blame.

NOTE: the SVA Silver Tongue Cleaners come in a straight flat format, gently bend the metal to form a generous curve. It will maintain its shape thereafter. You may occasionally rinse with soap and warm water to keep the silver from tarnishing. Due to wear and tear, it is natural for it to lose its original shine.