Should I scrape my tongue?
How important is tongue scraping?
Oral hygiene experts consider tongue scraping to be one of the four steps of complete oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, rinsing/gargling). However, tongue scraping is almost never recommended by dentists and is not considered very important, as studies have shown that tongue scraping has little effect on plaque formation and only helps certain patients with bad breath or dry mouth.
What role does it play in oral hygiene?
Tongue cleaning is performed to reduce the bacterial load on the surface and make it less susceptible to biofilm formation. However, long-term regular tongue scraping only has an effect on bacterial counts, meaning that occasional mechanical plaque removal has limited or no benefit.
What types of bacteria form on the tongue? Why? How does this affect the oral biome?
Due to its surface structure consisting of highly concentrated crypts around taste buds, the tongue is full of anaerobes – a type of bacteria that does not require free oxygen to survive and uses fermentation as an energy source, but also motile anaerobes – a type of bacteria that moves independently and can also be found in saliva or other areas of the mouth. The neutral pH of the tongue is also perfect for the proliferation of these microorganisms. Certain bacteria living on this surface also produce VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds), which are considered the main cause of bad breath.
What is its relative importance compared to brushing?
In terms of oral hygiene, tongue scraping covers a very limited area of the mouth and is an option unless specifically recommended. It does not replace brushing and flossing, but it can reduce the total number of oral bacteria. It is thought to contribute to the overall cleanliness of the mouth.
Does it help keep teeth white or other aspects of dental health or aging?
Eating habits, smoking and drinking, antibacterial mouthwashes, medications, etc. can cause temporary discoloration of the tongue, which may even last for days on the surface. Since the discoloration is eventually washed away by saliva and other self-cleaning processes, the likelihood of tooth discoloration increases. So yes, scraping a layer of staining plaque from the surface of the tongue early on will help to some extent in keeping teeth stain-free and therefore whiter.
Tongue scraping is a daily necessity for elderly patients who are edentulous, as tongue plaque has been associated with aspiration pneumonia.
Does tongue scraping help us taste better/taste buds function better?
It is unlikely that taste will change or improve after tongue scraping. On the other hand, aggressive plaque removal can damage the nerve endings of taste buds, causing a temporary loss of taste.
How does tongue scraping help remove bad breath?
Since the bacteria that cause bad breath are located on the tongue (but not only there), overgrowth can affect overall bad breath. Regular scraping can help people with this problem stay away from it. However, it is important to distinguish between bad breath caused by these types of bacteria and what we think of as bad breath, such as coffee or garlic on the breath. Tongue scraping does not solve temporary bad breath caused by ingested food, but rather permanent problems related to certain bacteria on the surface of the tongue.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
