Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

12

I'm trying to reduce my exposure to chemicals and I've stopped using any kind of dental rinses. Have you read the ingredients listed on the bottle of any and all mouth washes? I can't even pronounce most of those ingredients.

I recently bought a stainless steel tongue scraper and I find it much more effective than mouthwash at reducing bad breath. Has anyone else here experienced the same benefit using a tongue cleaner or tongue scraper?

http://tonguescraper.org/

edited Jan 30 2012 at 6:28

asked Jan 29 2012 at 15:36

Wcc Kamal Stabby fan
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Shari Bambino · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-29 15:59:38Z UTC

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Ah stainless! I have always used plastic ones. Guess I should upgrade. I still use rinses but I think the tongue scraping is a very good thing. Disgusting but very good.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 15:59

Shari Bambino
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But Shari, isn't more disgusting to use a rinse and leave all the "dead bodies" in your mouth? Scraping seems like a better alternative because you are removing all that disgusting stuff physically. – Wcc Kamal Stabby fan Jan 29 2012 at 17:15

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+1 for "dead bodies" HAAAAAAAAA!!!! – Eedlewee Jan 31 2012 at 14:12

Thanks E, you and big J should buy a couple of them. They work really well. – Wcc Kamal Stabby fan Jan 31 2012 at 14:44

Oh it's just so disgusting to see what comes off of that thing. Ewwww. Nasty. But yes it's better to see it going down the drain than to think of it still in my mouth. Yuck. (and appreciate the check mark, lol.) – Shari Bambino Feb 10 2012 at 2:56

Dragonfly · Answer 2 · 2012-01-29 17:13:20Z UTC

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I use my toothbrush to gently brush the back of my tongue after brushing my teeth.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 17:13

Dragonfly
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I was brushing my tongue also. The tongue scraper reaches further back than a tooth brush because of it's lower profile and does a better job of cleaning. I wish I had bought one sooner. If you bought one I'm sure you would like it how much better it cleans. – Wcc Kamal Stabby fan Jan 30 2012 at 14:15

No thanks--I have too much of a gag reflex, haha! – Dragonfly Jan 30 2012 at 14:39

MargieQ · Answer 3 · 2012-01-29 22:06:36Z UTC

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If you can't tolerate brushing your tongue. (which is easier in one direction, like combing your hair). You can always use a spoon, since you probably already have one.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 22:06

MargieQ
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coprophagous · Answer 4 · 2012-01-29 15:42:12Z UTC

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i dont use mouth wash, i scape my toung every day . i have done this all my life.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 15:42

coprophagous
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Nance · Answer 5 · 2012-01-29 16:22:26Z UTC

I used to use a tongue scraper, but when I stopped using toothpaste my tongue went to pink and stayed that way. I may be an unusual case, because I'd also noticed hives around my mouth after using various brands of toothpaste.

I dry-brush my gums and teeth every day and don't use a rinse. I do occasionally use a cinnamon-flavored tooth powder but I don't do that on a daily basis. Please note: I was taught how to dry-brush by a periodontist many years ago and you shouldn't do it unless you are using gentle, proper technique.

The tissues in our mouths are very delicate and sensitive. If we're eating a wholesome diet and gently cleaning our gums and teeth we don't need much more than that. I always get praised by the dental techs for the condition of my mouth, yet I don't use toothpaste and I floss only to dislodge trapped food--I don't use floss at the gum line.

BaconHealsChic · Answer 6 · 2012-01-29 20:24:09Z UTC

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I don't scrape my tongue but I brush it after I swish will coconut oil for as long as I can stand it.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 20:24

BaconHealsChic
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wheelhouse · Answer 7 · 2012-01-29 17:02:08Z UTC

I agree with you about mouthwashes, some pretty crazy stuff in most of them. I started making my own mouthwash as I do like a nice rinse after brushing. In a 12oz glass bottle I mix 3/4 Tbsp baking soda, 1 oz hydrogen peroxide, 1 oz vodka, 1 tsp peppermint extract, and then fill with water. Only takes a couple of minutes to make and is a nice, refreshing way to start the day.

To your actual question, I do also use a tongue scraper occasionally. I generally use it after a cigar as it is the only way the taste doesnt stay with me for a few days.

Nate · Answer 8 · 2012-01-29 17:28:32Z UTC

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I'm so Paleo that I don't even brush my teeth.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 17:28

Nate
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That's disgusting – nick Jan 29 2012 at 22:50

mnwelldir.org/docs/history/biographies/price.htm "His first discovery was that the further away from civilization, the fewer cavities he found. He had to look in three or four mouths to find a single cavity. Yes, he found some very green teeth, almost moss covered (as it were), but beneath this coat was a fine, strong tooth, planted firmly in a strong, full jaw." I'm a frickin' rock star when I travel to the Swiss Alps. Villagers run up to me and ask to stroke my teeth. It's awesome! – Nate Jan 30 2012 at 6:23

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I would rather not have green teeth :) – Matt Jan 30 2012 at 10:39

Does anyone here use a tongue scraper/tongue cleaner?

8 Answers