This £2.99 gadget could be the secret to staying young – celebs swear by it and experts reckon the science behind it stacks up
Tongue scraping helps good bacteria in the mouth to flourish
YOU might have thought that slathering on the anti-ageing cream or indulging in minor cosmetic surgery like Botox was the secret to staying young.
But think again. Apparently we could shave off years by making this £2.99 tongue scraper a regular part of our beauty regime.
New scientific research claims having a healthy balance of bacteria in our mouths could be the key to looking younger.
Good oral bacteria appears to assist production of a molecule called nitric oxide, which plays a crucial role in regenerating damaged and old cells, reports .
Our tongues house more than 200 different types of bacteria – and using a curved metal scraper on the back of it for five seconds every day will help the “good” bacteria flourish, according to the world’s leading expert on nitric oxide, Dr Nathan Bryan.
Dr Bryan, a specialist in molecular medicine from Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, explained: “Our data suggests that the bacteria on the tongue contribute about 50 per cent of the body’s total nitric oxide production.
“Tongue-scraping may allow for more diversity, so the ‘good’ bacteria flourish and generate more nitric oxide.”
Most tongue scrapers feature a U-shaped piece of metal attached to handles that is designed to be dragged along the tongue surface after tooth-brushing, from the back of the mouth to the front.
Due to their rigid edges, they’re said to be more effective at cleaning your tongue than the bristles of a toothbrush.
Ageing is caused by three factors, according to scientists. One is the decline in efficiency of the telomeres at the end of our chromosomes, which help our DNA replicate accurately.
As we produce more faulty copies of our DNA, the stuff inside our cells that produce the chemical energy cells need to survive (mitochondria) stops working as well.
Our stem cells also become less efficient at helping the body to repair any damage.
Dr Bryan said nitric oxide helps to regulate these three processes and slow down their decline.
The nitrates produced by the good oral bacteria build up in your saliva and, when swallowed, mix with the acid in your stomach to make nitric oxide, which helps to protect tissues in the body from “advanced ageing”.
He said that over time, everything from your organs to your skin could age more slowly.
Tongue scraping isn’t a new phenomenon. We previously told how Jessica Sepel, a nutrionist from Sydney, Australia and founder of JS Health, scrapes her tongue every morning.
The Ayurvedic technique is a "non-negotiable" part of her morning routine and one of the first things she does when she wakes up.
Tongue-scrapers are also in the goodie bags guests like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell receive when they turn up for a detox at some of their favourite getaways like the LifeCo spa in Bodrum, Turkey, where tongue-scraping is a required part of the regime.
The queens of clean-eating, Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley, are also devoted tongue scrapers. According to Jasmine: "I'd rather go without brushing my teeth in the morning than not doing it.
"All your toxins come out on your tongue, so you want to remove them."
Tongue scraping has been recommended by the British Dental Journal, which backs the theory that it “helps fight the ageing process”.
Tongue Cleaner x2, £2.99 from Superdrug -
It observes how the practice helps to clean the palate, “enabling taste buds to function better”.
Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath.
According to the NHS website, cleaning your tongue can help control bad breath as bacteria can thrive on its rough surface.
Celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques of Wimpole Street Dental told Fabulous: "Tongue scraping is a really good idea and in my opinion everyone should be doing it. By removing plaque, bad bacteria and sulphur-containing compounds, you can eliminate bad breath.
"It also reduces the amount of bad bacteria in the oral cavity. These bacteria ultimately lead to cavities and periodontal disease (gum problems)."
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Dr Lewis Ehrlich, a holistic dentist and health coach, also recommends buying a tongue scraper as toothbrushes aren't quite up to the job.
You can buy a tongue scraper for £2.99 . A metal one will set you back £6.49 from .
From dull to dazzle, brush up on oral hygiene with 10 vital tips for pearly whites.