Dr. Gonchar recommends this tongue scraper for its effective combination of scraping and brushing. “​​Some people feel the bristles add an extra layer of cleanliness,” she says. “These bristles are ultra-soft and will not damage your tongue.” Another reason to use a cleaner is that it can help remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that forms on the teeth, and tartar is a hard, mineralized plaque that can build up on the teeth over time. You may want to consider a smaller tongue scraper if you travel a lot. Storing a tongue scraper in a travel case at home will also help keep your tongue scraper clean and protected. Material There’s just one problem: Most tongue scrapers are made for adult-size mouths, so they’re too large for kids. The Original Kids TUNG Brush made by Peak Essentials is kid-sized to minimize gagging and reach the nooks and crannies on little tongues. It’s shaped like a toothbrush with a round head to cover more surface area. Like a toothbrush, it also has bristles on the low-profile head to add toothpaste or gel to cleanse odor-causing bacteria on the tongue. If you have a lot of plaque or tartar build-up, using a cleaner can help remove it and reduce your risk of cavities and other dental problems. However, if you have a lot of plaque or tartar build-up, you should also see a dentist for professional cleaning.

To choose the best tongue scrapers, we consulted dentists that know a thing or two about dental hygiene, as well as researched models of different shapes, materials and price points. When choosing tongue scrapers we considered factors such as: Scraping is typically more effective than brushing your tongue, according to Dr. Tomalty, but this one does both and can give some people a better sense of cleanliness. Still, you’ll want to use the bristle side with a gentle hand since it can be quite rigid. According to Dr. Salim, stainless-steel tongue scrapers can be easily disinfected and they last a long time. “[Tongue scrapers need] to be cleaned by running it under warm water and leaving it to dry thereafter,” he says. Plastic tongue scrapers, like toothbrushes, need to be replaced every three to four months of regular use. Sometimes a person is too forceful with the tongue scraper, which may cause an accidental sore. Try to be mindful of how much pressure you use. If your tongue bleeds, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and let your tongue heal before using the tongue scraper again.

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This DenTek Tongue Cleaner is made of sturdy plastic, so it’s not as flimsy as other options that aren’t rigid enough to effectively clean the tongue. It has a unique triple-edge design that scrubs, lifts, and scrapes away bacteria with each swipe. To clean hard-to-reach places, it has a curved head that’s easy to maneuver and unlikely to trigger the gag reflex. It helps to remove bad breath. Bad breath is often caused by bacteria on the tongue. When you remove the bacteria, it helps to reduce bad breath.

The grin tongue cleaner is a simple and effective way to clean the tongue. The curved brush is specifically designed for cleaning the surface of the tongue. The bristles help remove bacteria and plaque, which can cause bad breath. The grin tongue cleaner is also small and portable, which makes it easy to use on the go. It features a U shape that Dr. Tomalty is a fan of. The ergonomic edge is curved for effective cleaning, though some may find it too rigid for sensitive tongues. This may be best reserved for more serious cases of bad breath or bacteria where sensitivity isn’t an issue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria resulting from smoking or dry mouth could benefit from tongue scraping. Material: The two materials commonly used to make tongue scrapers that we recommend considering are stainless steel and plastic. Stainless steel is the most common material because it’s bendable, durable and easy to clean. Plastic is more affordable and doesn’t have a metallic taste but needs to be disposed of more frequently. Everyone can benefit from using a tongue scraper, according to Sean Tomalty, DMD, a dentist and owner of Shoreline Smiles in Jupiter, Florida. “Unless your dentist advises against it, everyone should be using a tongue scraper,” he says, adding that these tools are more effective at removing bacteria than brushing your teeth (though that part is non-negotiable). The reason is that the tongue harbors quite a bit of bacteria, yet it’s often missed in many people’s oral hygiene routines. Reducing the number of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) can help improve bad breath. Improved Oral Health

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Though the end goal is the same, there are different varieties of tongue scrapers. They’re usually categorized based on their materials, such as metal or plastic, but they can also differ in design. They may work by scraping or brushing with bristles.