Run the tongue scraper under warm water to clear any debris and bacteria from the device. Spit out any excess saliva that may have built up during the tongue scraping. Reduce bacterial growth: The same debris that causes a coated tongue often creates an ideal environment for odour-causing bacteria to thrive and multiply. Matsui M, et al. (2014). Effects of tongue cleaning on bacteria flora in tongue coating and dental plaque: A crossover study. DOI: Your mouth and tongue have naturally occurring bacteria which, while in balance, creates a healthy environment. However other bacteria in your mouth can lead to problems such as bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. In conjunction with a good oral hygiene regime regularly removing 'bad' bacteria, food debris and dead skin cells can help to promote a healthy mouth, while reducing the likelihood of problems.

Tongue cleaners are typically made of copper, stainless steel, or plastic. When it comes to removing debris, the sharper, firmer surface of a metal tongue cleaner has a definite edge over its plastic counterparts. However, if you're new to the practice of tongue scraping or have a sensitive tongue, you might find the softer texture of a plastic tongue cleaner or a brush more comfortable to use. Easy-grip handles Start by brushing your teeth with a toothpaste that contains, at a minimum, zinc, CPC and an oxidizing agent, such as RyttPro or JuliBrite Toothpaste.To find and recommend the best tongue scrapers, we spoke with dentists and researched dozens of tongue cleaners and scrapers available in the market. We reviewed the materials used by the tongue scraper, the design of the tool, ease of use, and ease of cleaning to keep the tongue scraper effective and hygienic, as well as added features for ease of storage, portability, and travel. We also reviewed the pricing—most of the options on our list are affordable, while some that are at the higher end of the price spectrum offer additional features. If you’re shopping for a tongue scraper, you’ll likely see two types of commonly used materials—stainless steel and plastic. Many prefer a tongue scraper made with stainless steel as it’s effective, durable, and friendlier to the environment.

A 2004 study in the Journal of Periodontology concluded that using a tongue scraper helped reduce volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. A tongue scraper removed 75 percent of these compounds and a toothbrush removed 45 percent of them. Reduces bacteria on the tongue Remove build-up: Debris, dead cells, bacteria, smoking, yeast infections, and even certain medications can cause build-up on the tongue, producing an unsightly white coating. The average tongue cleaner is unlikely to break the bank, but prices can vary depending on the design and construction materials. Scientific research has shown that scraping your tongue can remove deposits and get rid of bacteria. To learn more, you can read this study and this study.

Select a tongue scraping instrument. This may be plastic or metal. It may be bent in half making a V shape or have a handle with a rounded edge at the top. Shop online for tongue scrapers. Most people have their dental care routine down pat, but many miss one important step that keeps the mouth healthy and the breath fresh: cleaning the tongue. An easy, simple way to keep the tongue clean is with the use of a tongue scraper, a tool designed to remove extra particles and reduce bacteria and food debris on the tongue. This can help reduce bad breath and tongue coatings, explains Alison Newgard, DDS, assistant professor of clinical dentistry in the Division of Restorative Dentistry at Columbia University College of Dentistry. Repeat steps 2 to 5 several more times. As needed, adjust your tongue scraper placement and the pressure you apply to it to prevent a gag reflex.