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Tongue scraper

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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Why clean your tongue

Cleveland Clinic explains that most bacteria on the tongue are the good kind, but other kinds can cause bad breath, tooth decay and gum infections, so cleaning your tongue helps remove that bad bacteria along with food debris and dead cells. It notes that so much odor-causing bacteria lives on your tongue, and that studies suggest tongue scraping can remove bacteria and improve bad breath more than brushing.

The ADA's MouthHealthy site adds that when you eat, bacteria feed on food left in your mouth and leave a foul-smelling waste product behind.

How to use a tongue scraper

Cleveland Clinic suggests adding tongue scraping to your routine in the morning and at night:

• Brush your teeth, floss and rinse like you normally would.
• Stick your tongue out and use light pressure to run the scraper across the entire surface of your tongue once or twice.
• Start all the way at the back of the tongue and scrape toward the front.
• Rinse the scraper in warm water after each pass, then rinse it again and swish your mouth out with water.

For the rest of your routine, see our dental floss guide and electric toothbrush guide.

Scraper materials compared

Details are from DrTung's and Cocofloss product pages. Cleveland Clinic says scrapers made from plastic, copper or stainless steel are available at most drug stores. Cocofloss says its stainless steel will not wear out like flimsy plastic tongue cleaners.

DrTung's describes tongue cleaning as an ancient Ayurvedic practice and says removing the tongue coating helps improve taste and slows plaque formation; Cocofloss similarly says less buildup leaves more room for your tastebuds. These are maker descriptions rather than independent findings.

Scraper or toothbrush?

Cleveland Clinic says brushing your tongue gently from back to front a few times with a toothbrush and toothpaste is an easy first step, but that scraping can do a better job at removing plaque and bacteria from the tongue's surface. It compares this to a dirty carpet: when you scrape it, the dirt comes right off the surface.

DrTung's claims modern research shows a scraper is 30% more effective than a toothbrush at cleaning the tongue. Treat that as a maker claim.

Other causes of bad breath

A clean tongue helps, but the ADA lists other causes to rule out:

• Food. Garlic, onions and coffee are among the breath-offending foods the ADA names.
• Dry mouth. The ADA says dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or breathing through your mouth, and that saliva works around the clock to wash out your mouth.
• Gum disease. Bad breath that will not go away, or a constant bad taste, can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease.
• Smoking. The ADA says smoking stains teeth and gives you bad breath.
• Mouthwash. The ADA says over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or temporarily mask bad breath, but are only a temporary solution.

Safety and when to see a dentist

Cleveland Clinic says scraping should not hurt or damage your tongue; if it does, you are pressing too hard and should use less pressure. If your tongue shows white, black or red discoloration, or sores or pain that persist for more than two weeks, it advises making an appointment with your dentist.

If bad breath continues, the ADA suggests seeing your dentist, who can check for problems such as gum disease or dry mouth; if your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care doctor.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Does tongue scraping help bad breath?

Cleveland Clinic says studies suggest scraping can remove bacteria and improve bad breath more than brushing.

How do you use a tongue scraper?

After brushing and flossing, scrape back to front with light pressure once or twice, rinsing the scraper after each pass.

How often should you scrape your tongue?

Cleveland Clinic suggests morning and night; Cocofloss says 1-2x a day for its scraper.

Is a scraper better than a toothbrush?

Cleveland Clinic says brushing the tongue is a good first step, but scraping can do a better job removing bacteria.

When should I see a dentist about my tongue?

For white, black or red discoloration, or sores or pain lasting more than two weeks, per Cleveland Clinic.

Sources

• Does Tongue Scraping Actually Work, and Should I Be Doing It? (health.clevelandclinic.org), Cleveland Clinic
• Bad Breath (mouthhealthy.org), American Dental Association MouthHealthy
• Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner (drtungs.com), DrTung's
• Copper Tongue Cleaner (drtungs.com), DrTung's
• Cherry Blossom Smile Filter Tongue Cleaner (cocofloss.com), Cocofloss

Sources checked 2026-10-15.