Some Important Tips on How to Use a Tongue Scraper
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 So you are interested to learn how to use a tongue scraper. While it's good that you're concerned with cleaning your tongue, you need to learn how to use a tongue scraper properly before you go out and just buy one and start scraping away.
The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body but it's the only one completely exposed and the outer layers are delicate and sensitive. In fact, more than 80% of the bacteria in the mouth can be found on the tongue.
Being rough with a tongue scraper can mean damage to your taste buds and tongue overall, so it's best to learn how to use a tongue scraper or at least get a good idea about it before you just start scraping.
This doesn't mean that it's terribly complicated to learn how or that it's dangerous to do so in any way. Usually if you're doing it incorrectly you're going to feel some pain and discomfort, which is the body's natural way of telling you that something is wrong!
Of course it's best to learn how to use a tongue scraper before setting out to do so than it is to wait until you've done damage to your tongue and then trying to figure out what you did wrong.
Being Gentle is the Key
It's important to realize when learning how to use one that you should be gentle, especially when you're first starting out and don't really know how much pressure you should be applying. You might liken this to hammering a nail - if you start out swinging too hard you could put the hammer right through the wall, whereas your first few pounds should be lighter so you can gauge the pressure you need.
It's always better to start out with less pressure than you need and increase it gradually than it is to start with too much pressure. This is true whether you're pounding a nail or learning how to use a tongue scraper. So don't just go in and start scratching away, but be gentle.
To Paste or Not to Paste?
One question many people have when learning is whether or not they should be using toothpaste or if it works better when it's dry. There are a few different schools of thought on this, with some saying that the scraper will work better if it can scrape the tongue while dry and others saying that paste helps to loosen the food particles and other materials.
Chances are that it really doesn't make that much of a difference as there seems to be some value in both ways of thinking when it comes to using it. A dry tongue might mean that you can get more particles off whereas toothpaste will not only loosen particles it can also make it more comfortable.
Sometimes the maker of the particular brand you're using will address this issue; they may instruct you on how to use a tongue scraper right there on the package. Most are made of the same plastic material but some have a small sheet of rubber across the front, which might mean it can be used better without paste.
To figure out how to use a tongue scraper when it comes to paste or no paste, it might be better to try it with toothpaste when first starting out. You can gradually decrease the amount you use until you're not using any and see if that's comfortable, and if there's any difference in effectiveness. Just for comfort's sake, you might continue using the paste as well.
Technique and Timing
Remember to give attention to technique and timing. What this means is that you want to start at the back of your tongue, as far back as you can reach, but you don't want to make yourself gag either. The middle of your tongue is where most bacteria and germs settle, but don't neglect the sides either.
When it comes to when you should scrape your tongue, you should probably scrape it before you brush your teeth or at least be sure that you rinse your mouth thoroughly after scraping. This is because it does no good to scrape all those food particles off of your tongue and then let them settle back onto your tongue or teeth!
It's important that you get those things out of your mouth completely. Some think that you should scrape after you brush or else you're working those remnants back onto your teeth, but either way, you need to get them out of your mouth so rinsing and spitting is important.
Consider adding tongue scraping as part of your daily ritual right along with brushing your teeth. There's probably no need to dig and scratch your tongue every day, but a few solid strokes with a tongue scraper every night can get out leftover food particles and other harmful elements.
You might also consider tongue scraping after an especially heavy meal or if for any reason you notice that you have some buildup on your tongue. Some foods are just a bit harder to break down and so they may collect and gather so it's important to be aware of your own tongue's condition every day.
Remember Your Oral Hygiene Overall
Learning how to use a tongue scraper is only part of your oral hygiene regimen. It's important to keep up with brushing and flossing every day, and with minding your diet as well.
Highly acidic foods and beverages cause tooth decay and then bad breath, and of course a tongue scraper won't do the job of a good flossing. So be mindful of these things right along with learning how to use a tongue scraper properly and you'll have healthy teeth and gums.
Remember, it does no good to learn how to use a tongue scraper if you then never do it, or do it so sporadically that it makes little difference! Learn the basics of a tongue scaper by clicking here .
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