Why Your Tongue Turns White and 8 Ways to Get Rid of It

1. Use a tongue scraper.

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Just like a toothbrush helps remove plaque and bacteria from our teeth, a tongue scraper can be an effective tool for cleaning the surface of the tongue. Over time, a buildup of bacteria, food debris, fungi, and dead cells can accumulate on the tongue's surface. This can lead to bad breath, white/yellow coating on the tongue, and potentially impact our oral and overall health if not addressed. The proper way to use a tongue scraper is by sticking out your tongue and placing the rounded scraper gently onto the very back of the tongue's surface. Applying light pressure, you'll slowly pull the scraper forward from the back to the tip of the tongue in one sweeping motion. This scraping action will remove the buildup of bacteria and debris coating the tongue. Rinse off the scraper under warm water to clear away what was removed. You can repeat this process several times, scraping from back to front until the tongue feels clean and fresh. While tongue scrapers have become a popular hygiene tool, you don't necessarily need a dedicated scraper. In a pinch, you can use the rounded underside of a regular kitchen spoon to gently scrape your tongue instead. Just be sure to clean it thoroughly before and after use. Many find tongue scraping to be a curiously satisfying practice - it's amazing how much gunk can accumulate! In addition to improving breath odor, regular tongue scraping may remove bacteria that could otherwise be re-ingested and may provide benefits like improved taste and potentially reduced risk of oral infections. Give it a try and see if you enjoy incorporating tongue scraping into your daily oral hygiene routine.