Latest news with #IngenovisHealth
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Are Begging People With Hypertension To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP
Cardiologists Are Begging People With Hypertension To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP originally appeared on Parade. Heart disease has the distinction of being the leading cause of death among U.S. adults. In 2025, the American Heart Association specifically called out hypertension as a risk factor that keeps heart disease at the top of this list. As scary as this sounds—especially if you have hypertension—cardiologists emphasize that it's important to know the truth so you can take action (which you can)."Hypertension poses a significant risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes and congestive heart failure," says an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. "Hypertension is treatable, and early interventions can significantly reduce the likelihood of these devastating conditions."Medications can help lower blood pressure. However, it's also important to make lifestyle tweaks, including understanding certain easy-to-overlook risks that can make hypertension worse. Cardiologists shared the one thing they're begging people with hypertension to stop doing ASAP, plus how to become a more informed (food) consumer.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 Cardiologists are urging people to be more mindful of their daily salt intake and not overlook the hidden ways sodium can be incorporated into foods. "Increased salt—sodium—intake affects how your kidneys manage the water balance in your body," explains , a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "When you take in more sodium than you need, this will cause the body to retain water, which then leads to increased blood pressure in your blood vessels." Dr. Chen echoes the American Heart Association's recommendation for daily salt intake, which is 2,300 mg per day. However, Dr. Chen adds that the American Heart Association recommends sticking to 1,500 mg per day for people with kidney or heart problems, and that includes You may know not to add salt to foods if you have hypertension or want to keep blood pressure numbers in check. However, cardiologists say daily salt consumption is easy to underestimate. "Most people do not look at labels to see how much sodium they're consuming," points out Dr. Randy Gould, DO, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor. "If they have foods that don't taste salty, they may think they're not high in sodium, but this might not be the case." Indeed, salt is used for reasons beyond flavor, so taste testing isn't always the best way to gauge how much is in a meal or snack. Believe it or not, salt is in some of the sweetest foods (like cookies!)."Salt is hidden in many foods as both a flavor enhancer and preservative," Dr. Serwer reports. "For these reasons, salt is used in high quantities in many canned foods, prepared and processed meals and in commercial restaurants." Related: Still, it's possible to consume less salt. Dr. Chen recommends: Checking the nutrition label on foods whenever possible Preparing your own food with fresh ingredients more often than not Ask for menu items that are lower in sodium when eating out Dr. Serwer also recommends eating more home-cooked meals and especially avoiding fast food when eating out. Studiesconsistently show that people who eat out more frequently consume more sodium. He suggests: Avoiding canned and pre-prepared meals (including ones you heat up in your own microwave) Adding more produce to your diet Considering salt substitutes for flavoring (like parsley, basil or cumin) Related: Keeping a keen eye on salt intake is essential. However, cardiologists recommend a holistic approach to tackling hypertension. They shared a few other ways to keep your blood pressure numbers in a healthy range. Dr. Gould recommends getting at least 150 hours of physical activity per week. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (exerting enough effort to breathe heavily but still able to talk) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity (a hard effort that causes heavy breathing, so you can only speak in short, choppy sentences) exercise each week for overall heart health. Research finds regular exercise is important for lowering and managing blood Serwer recommends discussing exercise programs with your doctor, especially if you have underlying health conditions. The idea that stressful situations are "raising your blood pressure" may not be some tongue-in-cheek line. Dr. Gould states that stress management is a crucial tool for regulating blood pressure. Some studies show that tools like mindfulness-based stress reduction programs are effective. Stress can leave you tossing and turning at night, but Dr. Gould notes it's vital to catch enough Zzz's. A Hypertension study linked irregular sleep patterns to drinking and smoking are two ways people may try to manage stress, but Dr. Chen advises against them, saying neither will do your heart (or overall health) any favors. Your care team can recommend resources to help you with these habits, such as therapy and support groups. Dr. Serwer reminds people that doctors, such as cardiologists, are here to help. "Maintain a close and consistent relationship with your primary care providers and take your medications on time," he you may need to check your blood pressure regularly. He advises people to heed these recommendations from their care team because it can help flag irregular blood pressure. ` Up Next:Heart and Stroke Statistics. American Heart Association. Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. Dr. Randy Gould, DO, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor Can Meals Outside Homes Impact Sodium Intake? Current Developments in Nutrition. Frequency of eating home cooked meals and potential benefits for diet and health: cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort study. International Journal International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Exercise as a tool for hypertension and resistant hypertension management: current insights. Integrated Blood Pressure Control. Effect and Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure or Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypertension. Sleep Irregularity Is Associated With Hypertension: Findings From Over 2 Million Nights With a Large Global Population Sample. Hypertension. Cardiologists Are Begging People With Hypertension To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP first appeared on Parade on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Are Begging People With Hypertension To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP
Cardiologists Are Begging People With Hypertension To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP originally appeared on Parade. Heart disease has the distinction of being the leading cause of death among U.S. adults. In 2025, the American Heart Association specifically called out hypertension as a risk factor that keeps heart disease at the top of this list. As scary as this sounds—especially if you have hypertension—cardiologists emphasize that it's important to know the truth so you can take action (which you can)."Hypertension poses a significant risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes and congestive heart failure," says an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. "Hypertension is treatable, and early interventions can significantly reduce the likelihood of these devastating conditions."Medications can help lower blood pressure. However, it's also important to make lifestyle tweaks, including understanding certain easy-to-overlook risks that can make hypertension worse. Cardiologists shared the one thing they're begging people with hypertension to stop doing ASAP, plus how to become a more informed (food) consumer.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 Cardiologists are urging people to be more mindful of their daily salt intake and not overlook the hidden ways sodium can be incorporated into foods. "Increased salt—sodium—intake affects how your kidneys manage the water balance in your body," explains , a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "When you take in more sodium than you need, this will cause the body to retain water, which then leads to increased blood pressure in your blood vessels." Dr. Chen echoes the American Heart Association's recommendation for daily salt intake, which is 2,300 mg per day. However, Dr. Chen adds that the American Heart Association recommends sticking to 1,500 mg per day for people with kidney or heart problems, and that includes You may know not to add salt to foods if you have hypertension or want to keep blood pressure numbers in check. However, cardiologists say daily salt consumption is easy to underestimate. "Most people do not look at labels to see how much sodium they're consuming," points out Dr. Randy Gould, DO, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor. "If they have foods that don't taste salty, they may think they're not high in sodium, but this might not be the case." Indeed, salt is used for reasons beyond flavor, so taste testing isn't always the best way to gauge how much is in a meal or snack. Believe it or not, salt is in some of the sweetest foods (like cookies!)."Salt is hidden in many foods as both a flavor enhancer and preservative," Dr. Serwer reports. "For these reasons, salt is used in high quantities in many canned foods, prepared and processed meals and in commercial restaurants." Related: Still, it's possible to consume less salt. Dr. Chen recommends: Checking the nutrition label on foods whenever possible Preparing your own food with fresh ingredients more often than not Ask for menu items that are lower in sodium when eating out Dr. Serwer also recommends eating more home-cooked meals and especially avoiding fast food when eating out. Studiesconsistently show that people who eat out more frequently consume more sodium. He suggests: Avoiding canned and pre-prepared meals (including ones you heat up in your own microwave) Adding more produce to your diet Considering salt substitutes for flavoring (like parsley, basil or cumin) Related: Keeping a keen eye on salt intake is essential. However, cardiologists recommend a holistic approach to tackling hypertension. They shared a few other ways to keep your blood pressure numbers in a healthy range. Dr. Gould recommends getting at least 150 hours of physical activity per week. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (exerting enough effort to breathe heavily but still able to talk) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity (a hard effort that causes heavy breathing, so you can only speak in short, choppy sentences) exercise each week for overall heart health. Research finds regular exercise is important for lowering and managing blood Serwer recommends discussing exercise programs with your doctor, especially if you have underlying health conditions. The idea that stressful situations are "raising your blood pressure" may not be some tongue-in-cheek line. Dr. Gould states that stress management is a crucial tool for regulating blood pressure. Some studies show that tools like mindfulness-based stress reduction programs are effective. Stress can leave you tossing and turning at night, but Dr. Gould notes it's vital to catch enough Zzz's. A Hypertension study linked irregular sleep patterns to drinking and smoking are two ways people may try to manage stress, but Dr. Chen advises against them, saying neither will do your heart (or overall health) any favors. Your care team can recommend resources to help you with these habits, such as therapy and support groups. Dr. Serwer reminds people that doctors, such as cardiologists, are here to help. "Maintain a close and consistent relationship with your primary care providers and take your medications on time," he you may need to check your blood pressure regularly. He advises people to heed these recommendations from their care team because it can help flag irregular blood pressure. ` Up Next:Heart and Stroke Statistics. American Heart Association. Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. Dr. Randy Gould, DO, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC and contributor Can Meals Outside Homes Impact Sodium Intake? Current Developments in Nutrition. Frequency of eating home cooked meals and potential benefits for diet and health: cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort study. International Journal International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Exercise as a tool for hypertension and resistant hypertension management: current insights. Integrated Blood Pressure Control. Effect and Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure or Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypertension. Sleep Irregularity Is Associated With Hypertension: Findings From Over 2 Million Nights With a Large Global Population Sample. Hypertension. Cardiologists Are Begging People With Hypertension To Stop Doing This One Thing ASAP first appeared on Parade on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension
Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension originally appeared on Parade. According to Million Hearts, nearly half of adults (119.9M) have hypertension, which is categorized as a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. And of that number, only about one in four of them have it under control, according to the CDC. If you have hypertension, then it's likely your doctor has either prescribed lifestyle changes, medication or perhaps a combination of both to lower your blood pressure to a healthier range. Speaking of lifestyle changes, nighttime habits can fall into that category and can potentially make a difference in your blood pressure. Ahead, we spoke with cardiologists about a nightly habit they swear by to reduce hypertension. Hint: you may already be doing it. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 According to , an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health, when it comes to reducing hypertension, it can be incredibly helpful to focus on sleep hygiene. "A consistent nightly routine, especially focusing on sleep hygiene, can make a significant difference," Dr. Kalra says. "Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol and the body's ability to manage these hormones is compromised when sleep-deprived, which can lead to elevated blood pressure." Related: Aside from elevating blood pressure, Dr. Kalra adds that insufficient sleep can also impact other lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, which can further pose a potential risk to cardiovascular health. According to the National Institute of Health, adults are recommended to get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. If you're getting less than that, then you're not only putting yourself at risk for hypertension, but also memory issues, headaches, slow reaction times, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression. Here's how to improve your sleep hygiene: One of the simplest but most effective sleep hygiene rules is to keep your bedroom cool and dark. Our bodies naturally lower in temperature as we fall asleep, so a cooler environment can help signal to your brain that it's time to rest. Darkness is important too: Exposure to light can suppress melatonin production (the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle). Blackout curtains, eye masks and dimming lights an hour before bed can all make a big difference. Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, says engaging in calming activities before bed may help you get more restful sleep. "Reading a book, listening to calming music, and trying to avoid phone use at bedtime will help ensure not only a good night's sleep, but may have a beneficial and positive impact on blood pressure," Dr. Sathyamoorthy tells Parade. "All of these interventions work by reducing what we call the sympathetic nervous system and help accentuate parasympathetic function which is the resting side of the central nervous system." When it comes to reducing hypertension, the cardiologists we spoke with noted how important it is to watch what you're eating and drinking. For starters, Dr. Kalra recommends steering clear of alcohol and nicotine, especially before bedtime. "Nighttime alcohol can acutely increase nocturnal heart rate, disrupt autonomic regulation and raise morning blood pressure," he says. Aside from alcohol, you'll want to avoid eating heavy meals at night, especially those with high-fat and high-sodium levels as these can disrupt sleep and negatively impact blood pressure. Related: If you're on blood pressure medication, then you'll want to make sure you take it as prescribed, especially if it's an evening medicine. "We cardiologists recommend taking at least one prescribed antihypertensive medication at bedtime rather than in the morning," says Dr. Kalra. "This approach, known as "chronotherapy," is supported by evidence from large randomized trials such as the Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, which demonstrated that bedtime dosing of antihypertensive medications leads to better nocturnal blood pressure control and a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events compared to morning dosing." If sleeplessness is a persistent issue for you, it could be worth it to see a sleep medicine some cases, there might be an underlying issue contributing to your lack of sleep such as restless leg syndrome, insomnia, or sleep apnea. "If you snore loudly or feel excessively tired during the day, talk to your cardiologist about the possibility of sleep apnea, a condition that can negatively impact blood pressure," says Dr. Kalra. Related:Why You Keep Waking Up in the Middle of the Night—and What Your Body's Trying To Tell You While getting into a sleep hygiene routine may help reduce hypertension, it may not be enough for some people. , board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, says if your blood pressure regularly runs above 130/80 or you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, vision changes or headaches, then it's time to see a doctor. Up Next:Dr. Andrew M. Freeman, MD, board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Dr. Nishant Kalra, MD, an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension first appeared on Parade on Jul 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension
Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension originally appeared on Parade. According to Million Hearts, nearly half of adults (119.9M) have hypertension, which is categorized as a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. And of that number, only about one in four of them have it under control, according to the CDC. If you have hypertension, then it's likely your doctor has either prescribed lifestyle changes, medication or perhaps a combination of both to lower your blood pressure to a healthier range. Speaking of lifestyle changes, nighttime habits can fall into that category and can potentially make a difference in your blood pressure. Ahead, we spoke with cardiologists about a nightly habit they swear by to reduce hypertension. Hint: you may already be doing it. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 According to , an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health, when it comes to reducing hypertension, it can be incredibly helpful to focus on sleep hygiene. "A consistent nightly routine, especially focusing on sleep hygiene, can make a significant difference," Dr. Kalra says. "Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol and the body's ability to manage these hormones is compromised when sleep-deprived, which can lead to elevated blood pressure." Related: Aside from elevating blood pressure, Dr. Kalra adds that insufficient sleep can also impact other lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, which can further pose a potential risk to cardiovascular health. According to the National Institute of Health, adults are recommended to get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. If you're getting less than that, then you're not only putting yourself at risk for hypertension, but also memory issues, headaches, slow reaction times, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression. Here's how to improve your sleep hygiene: One of the simplest but most effective sleep hygiene rules is to keep your bedroom cool and dark. Our bodies naturally lower in temperature as we fall asleep, so a cooler environment can help signal to your brain that it's time to rest. Darkness is important too: Exposure to light can suppress melatonin production (the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle). Blackout curtains, eye masks and dimming lights an hour before bed can all make a big difference. Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, says engaging in calming activities before bed may help you get more restful sleep. "Reading a book, listening to calming music, and trying to avoid phone use at bedtime will help ensure not only a good night's sleep, but may have a beneficial and positive impact on blood pressure," Dr. Sathyamoorthy tells Parade. "All of these interventions work by reducing what we call the sympathetic nervous system and help accentuate parasympathetic function which is the resting side of the central nervous system." When it comes to reducing hypertension, the cardiologists we spoke with noted how important it is to watch what you're eating and drinking. For starters, Dr. Kalra recommends steering clear of alcohol and nicotine, especially before bedtime. "Nighttime alcohol can acutely increase nocturnal heart rate, disrupt autonomic regulation and raise morning blood pressure," he says. Aside from alcohol, you'll want to avoid eating heavy meals at night, especially those with high-fat and high-sodium levels as these can disrupt sleep and negatively impact blood pressure. Related: If you're on blood pressure medication, then you'll want to make sure you take it as prescribed, especially if it's an evening medicine. "We cardiologists recommend taking at least one prescribed antihypertensive medication at bedtime rather than in the morning," says Dr. Kalra. "This approach, known as "chronotherapy," is supported by evidence from large randomized trials such as the Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, which demonstrated that bedtime dosing of antihypertensive medications leads to better nocturnal blood pressure control and a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events compared to morning dosing." If sleeplessness is a persistent issue for you, it could be worth it to see a sleep medicine some cases, there might be an underlying issue contributing to your lack of sleep such as restless leg syndrome, insomnia, or sleep apnea. "If you snore loudly or feel excessively tired during the day, talk to your cardiologist about the possibility of sleep apnea, a condition that can negatively impact blood pressure," says Dr. Kalra. Related:Why You Keep Waking Up in the Middle of the Night—and What Your Body's Trying To Tell You While getting into a sleep hygiene routine may help reduce hypertension, it may not be enough for some people. , board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health, says if your blood pressure regularly runs above 130/80 or you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue, vision changes or headaches, then it's time to see a doctor. Up Next:Dr. Andrew M. Freeman, MD, board-certified cardiologist and director of clinical cardiology and prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, board-certified cardiologist and chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU Dr. Nishant Kalra, MD, an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution and Ingenovis Health Cardiologists Swear by This Nightly Habit To Reduce Hypertension first appeared on Parade on Jul 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
20-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
This odd dental habit could spark heart health risks, experts warn
Searches for "tongue scraper" have almost doubled in the last two decades, according to Google Trends. However, some experts have warned about potential risks. The practice of tongue-scraping (or tongue-brushing) has existed as a means of dental health for hundreds of years. While earlier studies concluded that scraping the tongue can improve one's sense of taste in as little as two weeks, some have raised concerns about potential heart health risks associated with the practice. "There's always been a strong association between good oral hygiene and heart health," Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, told Fox Digital. "Gingivitis or a bad gum infection has been known to cause problems with the heart on many different levels," said the Maryland-based doctor. Despite the potential benefits, Serwer and others have warned of a little-known cardiac risk associated with the practice. Tongue-scraping (or brushing) is the process of cleaning the tongue to keep bad bacteria, food debris and dead cells from accumulating on its surface, according to Cleveland Clinic. Beyond brushing with a toothbrush, specific tongue-scraping tools — available at pharmacies for as little as $8 — offer an easy way to get rid of plaque and other unwanted build-up. Gentle tongue-scraping performed up to once a day is recommended for adults to help remove bacteria and freshen breath, according to Dr. Whitney White of Aspen Dental. "When patients ask, I typically recommend a metal tongue scraper, as they are the best for hygienic reasons to keep clean," White, who is based in Nevada, told Fox News Digital. Another expert, Ohio-based dental hygienist Tenika Patterson, told Cleveland Clinic: "Tongue-scraping can do a better job at removing that plaque and bacteria from the tongue's surface." "Brushing is OK to do, but think about it this way — if your carpet is dirty and you scrub it, the dirt's going to get embedded down in there," she said. "But if you scrape it, it's going to come right off the surface." The concern with tongue-scraping is that it can cause "macroscopic cuts" on the tongue, which can potentially introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, Serwer cautioned. Anytime bacteria enters the bloodstream, there is an increased risk of endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves. If left untreated, endocarditis can lead to severe heart damage, according to Cleveland Clinic. While tongue-scraping can be good for oral health, it's important not to overdo it, Dr. White advised. Scraping too much can lower the body's nitric oxide levels and increase the risk of issues like high blood pressure. "While gentle, regular scraping helps remove harmful bacteria, doing it too often or too aggressively can disrupt the balance of good microbes on your tongue — some of which help produce nitric oxide, a compound that's important for heart health," White said. "The most important thing a person can do is to stay on top of oral hygiene," Serwer recommended. "Regular visits to the dentist, brushing and flossing can help ensure healthy gums and teeth." While brushing teeth and flossing can also introduce bacteria, those are outweighed by the benefits of maintaining healthy gums, experts agree. In contrast, "the benefits of tongue scraping are quite minimal," Serwer said. For more Health articles, visit For those who wish to continue tongue-scraping, White emphasized that less can be more. "Since your oral health is connected to your overall health, it's best to scrape your tongue in moderation to keep both your mouth and body in balance," she advised. "However, it is not a necessary step in your oral health routine, and should not be a substitute for twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing."
