Doctors have issued a warning against the habit of cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush, also known as tongue scraping. While previous studies have shown that tongue scraping can improve taste perception within just two weeks, other research has raised concerns about its potential risks to heart health.
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According to Fox News, Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer at VitalSolution, stated:
“There is always a strong connection between good oral hygiene and heart health.”
Serwer added:
“It is well known that gum disease can cause heart problems on multiple levels.”
Despite the potential benefits of tongue scraping, Serwer warned of an "unknown cardiac risk" associated with the practice.
The concern lies in the possibility that tongue scraping may cause small wounds on the tongue, which could allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, Serwer explained.
Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, the risk increases for developing endocarditis, an infection that affects the heart valves.
Excessive scraping may also lead to lower levels of nitric oxide in the body, which could increase the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure.
According to Fox News, Dr. Whitney White from Aspen Dental explained that scraping the tongue frequently or too aggressively can disrupt the balance of good microbes on the tongue. Some of these microbes help produce nitric oxide, a compound that is crucial for heart health.
