Dental hygiene ritual
Despite an elaborate beauty ritual involving several steps, some people often overlook the importance of developing a rigorous oral hygiene routine with the same diligence. Since the mouth is the gateway to health, it is imperative to ensure that it is taken care of properly and that time and energy are devoted to it. The best tip for adopting good habits is to add them to other habits already established. I often recommend that my patients do their oral hygiene routine morning and evening during their facial beauty ritual.
When I wake up
To get rid of bad breath, use a tongue scraper and rinse your mouth with water or oil pulling and spit it out. This will reduce bacterial biofilm upon waking. Wait 30 minutes after lunch before brushing your teeth to allow saliva to restore the pH in your mouth.
In the evening
Before cleansing your skin or performing your facial routine and applying your serums, I recommend brushing your teeth with an electric or manual toothbrush, which will remove 65% of the plaque and residue accumulated on your teeth throughout the day. Afterward, flossing will remove 25-35% of the debris left between your teeth. The mechanical action of these two valuable tools is what will help you the most in maintaining the health of your teeth.
You can use the Waterpik® (pulsating water jet) before or after starting, without forgetting the tongue scraper, an essential tool to help with bacteria and debris lodged on the tongue and to get rid of bad breath commonly known as halitosis. Clean your face to remove all traces of toothpaste and dry the corners of your lips well to avoid yeast at the corners of your mouth.
What is the tongue scraper used for?
In a study on the number of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) responsible for bad breath, a 75% decrease was noted in the subjects studied, thus resulting in a significant improvement in breath odor. (1)
The use of a tongue scraper is primarily intended to rid the tongue of dead cells and debris accumulated during eating and the resulting putrefaction during the night when saliva flow decreases. (2) Although the effect is temporary following tongue scraping, and the number of bacteria is moderately reduced, tongue scraping improves taste in the subjects studied. It would in itself decrease the putrefied matter on the tongue and therefore improve bad breath and the taste perceived by the taste buds.
How to use it?
Store the tongue scraper in a clean, dry place. Move from the back of your tongue along its dorsal side to the front and sides, and rinse it well before wiping it dry or letting it air dry. Wash your toothbrush and tongue scraper in warm, soapy water at least once a week.
References:
(1) Vinícius Pedrazzi, Sandra Sato, Maria da Gĺoria Chiarello de Mattos, Elza Helena Guimarães Lara, Heitor Panzeri. Tongue-cleaning methods: a comparative clinical trial employing a toothbrush and a tongue scraper. J Periodontol. 2004 Jul;75(7):1009-12 doi: 10.1902/jop.2004.75.7.1009.
(2) M Quirynen, P Avontroodt, C Soers, H Zhao, M Pauwels, D van Steenberghe. Impact of tongue cleansers on microbial load and taste. Clinical Trial J Clin Periodontol. 2004 Jul;31(7):506-10. PMID: 15191584 doi: 10.1111/j.0303-6979.2004.00507. x. PMID: 15191584
Leave a comment