How to Clean A Metal Tongue Scraper
What’s in this article?
Maintaining oral hygiene is not difficult as little practice can make a huge difference. One of the major practices that people have been carrying out for generations is using tongue scrapers. Metal tongue scrapers are nothing new when it comes to keeping oral health intact.
These scrapers are durable and if maintained properly can last for a long time. However, maintaining and cleaning these metal tongue scrapers is much required. Many people often overlook the need to cleanse them efficiently. As you clean your tongue using the scraper, you need to know the best ways to clean it.
In this detailed guide on how to clean a metal tongue scraper, we are going to discuss the need, methods, and additional maintenance tips for your metal tongue scraper. You can even learn the best practices to maintain its longevity and replacement needs.
Why Cleaning your Metal Tongue Scraper Important?
As we know tongue scrapers are used specifically for removing all the bacteria and debris from your tongue and ensuring oral health. There are several reasons why cleaning your metal tongue scraper is important and some of them are mentioned in the following section of our guide on how to clean a metal tongue scraper.
Cleaning the metal tongue scraper is necessary so that it remains bacteria and residue-free for the next use. You will definitely not like using a dirty scraper for your mouth. It is better to clean them every time you take them in use.
Poor oral hygiene also leads to bad breath. A dirty tongue scraper will not clean your tongue properly which will lead your mouth to smell bad. Also, the bacteria and other debris accumulated on the tongue scraper will produce a poor smell. Regular cleaning will not allow such smells to develop and keep your mouth clean.
Gum disease risk can also be elevated by an unclean tongue scraper. An unclean tongue scraper’s surface can harbor germs and bacteria that are easily transferred to your gums, causing swelling and infection. These issues can lead to major problems like tooth loss, etc.
Using a dirty tongue scraper increases the risk of oral infections by introducing dangerous bacteria. Because the mouth serves as a portal to other parts of the body, infections in the mouth can have an impact on the entire body. Maintaining your overall as well as oral health requires keeping the tongue scraper tidy and devoid of harmful microorganisms.
Essential Supplies and Materials Required
Before we learn about the steps or methods, it is important to know the essential supplies and materials needed. You cannot simply use any material as it might be related to health risks. The metal tongue scrapers can be cleaned using some simple and commonly available household items.
The list includes:
- Warm Water
- Soft Toothbrush
- Antibacterial Soap
- Salt
- Vinegar
Detailed Guide on How to Clean a Metal Tongue Scraper
Metal Tongue Scraper can be cleaned by some simple steps. Take a look at the following steps to initiate the cleaning process.
Pre-Cleaning Steps
These pre-cleaning steps and tips must be followed before you start the detailed cleaning procedure:
Step 1: Foremost, you must clean your tongue scraper using warm water. This must be done to ensure there is no loose debris.
Step 2: You are required to take a little warm water in a bowl and add the dishwashing detergent or soap to it. Once done, make a mixture of both components and then soak your metal tongue scraper.
Step 3: This will allow the debris, residue, and other food particles to loosen. This procedure will also make further cleaning simpler and faster.
Cleaning Procedure
Step 1: To initiate the cleaning process, you need to take a soft toothbrush. You can use any old toothbrush that has soft bristles. Apply a little mixture of salt and vinegar to it.
Step 2: After spreading the mixture all over the bristles, you should go ahead to gently brush your metal tongue scraper. You need to pay close attention to the edges and other grooves.
Step 3: Once done, you can either leave the mixture for a while or simply rinse it. Always use warm water for this step as it is a good option for removing all the debris.
Post Cleaning Steps
After cleaning the metal tongue scraper, you will need to wait for a little while before keeping it. Here are some tips that can help you in keeping or storing your metal tongue scraper.
Step 1: Let the scraper dry thoroughly before storing them. You can use a clean towel for this purpose.
Step 2: When the metal tongue scraper is dried thoroughly, take a look at the entire surface so that you can rest assured of no debris or residue left over. This must not be avoided and if you find any debris or other particles left, instantly clean them without delay.
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Long-Term Maintenance Tips For Metal Tongue Scraper
When we talk about maintaining oral health, the majority of people focus on flossing and cleaning their teeth only. You should not overlook your tongue as it requires proper cleaning as well. A tongue scraper can help you in this work.
A tongue scraper can keep your tongue free from harmful contaminants. It is crucial to keep the metal tongue scraper clean. However, cleaning is not the only solution, you are required to keep them maintained.
To sustain the long-term effectiveness of the metal tongue scraper, here are some easy and straightforward tips that can help you:
- You must wash your tongue scraper after you use it every time. Do not forget to use warm water as it will remove all the residue and bacteria from the tongue scraper.
- The tongue scraper must be placed in such a place where there is no light and moisture. This is mandatory as the microorganisms will not get a place to accumulate.
- You also need to replace your tongue scraper after a definite time. This is required to have the best possible efficiency. No matter how maintained you keep your tongue scraper, it has a limited timespan.
- Also, metal scrapers need a special technique to maintain their longevity. You cannot just wash them normally. Metal should be cleaned in warm water to sterilize it.
- You can also go through the manual guide and manufacturer’s instructions to understand how to clean a metal tongue scraper.
- Some metal tongue scrapers need to be cleaned with a gentle toothbrush and soft cloth only. Clean the scrapers accordingly to maintain them for longer periods.
Need of Metal Tongue Scraper Replacement
You cannot use a single tongue scraper for a lifetime. There are some specific signs that you need to replace the scraper. These are some signs that you should not avoid.
- Rust
- Discoloration
- Sharp Edges
- Rough Surfaces
- Damaged and Bent Edges
Apart from these situations, you must consider replacing your metal tongue scraper after you have used it for three to four months. Dentist advice and suggestions must also be taken into consideration while deciding. With optimal cleaning and maintenance, it is possible to increase the lifespan of your metal tongue scraper.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques. What is the need to clean a metal tongue scraper?
Ans. Tongue Cleaners play an important role in oral health. The food particles and other bacteria accumulated on your tongue are removed by the tongue scraper. As the tongue scraper is prone to all these bacteria, you need to clean them regularly or else the bacteria will stay on the metal tongue scraper and can cause oral infections.Â
Ques. How can I decontaminate the metal tongue scraper?
Ans. The easiest way to decontaminate the metal tongue scraper is to use lemons. As lemons have high antibacterial properties, they can simply decontaminate the tongue scraper. You can use several pieces of lemons to decontaminate or sterilize the most affected part of your tongue scraper. Use lemon, warm water, dry towel to quickly sterilize it.Â
Ques. How often should be the metal tongue scraper replaced?
Ans. It is suggested that you change your toothbrush and every oral hygiene-related product in no more than three to six months. This is the most ideal time, however, it should be reduced to more often if you have oral health issues. You can also take advice from a dental health care professional.Â
Wrapping Up
Oral hygiene has a very important significance to the overall health of a person. If your oral health has deteriorated, then it is possible that your body catches diseases and health problems. In this guide on how to clean a metal tongue scraper, we have discussed the easiest and most effective ways to keep your metal tongue scraper clean.
All these maintenance tips, cleaning methods and steps, etc. will help you keep your oral health in the best possible condition. Good oral health also contributes to overall well-being. It is better to keep your metal tongue scraper clean and maintained by following these simple steps and methods.