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Tongue scraper can reduce bad breathDr. Reitz: My husband's cigarette smoking leaves a bad taste in his mouth that makes kissing him unpleasant. I think the brown coating on his tongue from smoking is to blame for the foul smell and suggested he brush his tongue when he brushes his teeth. He said it's impossible to brush the tongue because it won't hold still. Can you make a recommendation that will help our relationship? - Mariellen Dear Mariellen: Smokers' bad breath can be improved with proper home care, however, unless your husband quits the habit, some degree of cigarette taste will persist. While tooth brushing takes very little coordination, trying to brush one's tongue with a toothbrush can be a frustrating and sloppy challenge. Cleaning the tongue dates back to ancient times with a history that parallels the toothbrush. Unfortunately in America oral health care centered on using a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash without a cultural awareness of the value a tongue scraper. In dental school I was taught to treat gum disease by educating patients about how to brush and floss their teeth. Dental education did not focus on treating bad breath or the benefit of cleaning the tongue. Mouthwash manufacturers make the idea of swishing a mouthful of their product then spitting it into the sink socially acceptable and more popular than tongue scrapers. But in most cases mouthwash just disguises without eliminating the odor. Studies indicate that 85 percent of the smell of bad breath originates from the mouth, of that 50 percent comes from the tongue. Trials using a tongue scraper statistically reduced oral odor compared with tooth brushing. Based on this information, recommending your husband brush his tongue will benefit your relationship. Smoking can irritate the papillae on the surface of the tongue causing a defective shedding and leaving a smelly black coating. Regular tongue scraping removes the coating, allowing normal cell turnover and a healthier, cleaner tongue. You can begin by telling your husband the black coating on his tongue is comprised of dead papillae and bacteria flavored with cigarette smoke. Then suggest he try a scraper made for removing that smelly coating. Before manufacturers began do design and make tongue scrapers, the only way to clean the tongue was to use a toothbrush. The column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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