The combination of bristles and scraper work well to clean the tongue. With this scraper I had the feeling I had really had put some effort into cleaning our tongue, but the sensation appeared to last longer. Wash your tongue scraper with soap and water and store it in a clean, dry area to avoid bacterial buildup. Tongue scraping can help reduce the amount of excess debris. This can help improve your overall sense of taste. Fresher Breath Of course, using your tongue scraper daily can also assist in reducing these conditions. Potential Side Effects & Risks of Tongue Cleaning Tongue scrapers are a great way to improve your oral hygiene. There are many different types of tongue scrapers available, so it's important to find the one that best suits your needs.

Plastic: The two best things about plastic tongue scrapers are the low price, and that they are supremely gentle on your tongue, guaranteeing no harm will come to your taste buds. Many scrapers made from silicone or similar have texture or tiny bristles, meaning they get in between and underneath even stubborn tongue fur. The downside is they're not great for the environment and will need regular replacements. This said, one of the most popular tongue cleaners on the market today, the Orabrush, is a brush design, but interestingly has a scraper included as part of thatdesign. Because tongue scrapers work to remove food debris and bacteria from the surface of the tongue, it’s important to keep your tongue scrapers sanitized. Look for a tongue scraper that’s easy to clean regularly. Some scrapers have bristles for brushing that may trap particles, so be sure to pay careful attention to cleaning them.

Top 5 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. You certainly do become used to it, but the number of bristles that scrape along the tongue surface created a sensation that felt a bit strange. 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. Shaped like a manual brush, there is a long plastic handle that for the most part is wrapped in a soft touch rubber/silicone, and then the head is an oval shape with the centre missing. Around the edge are a series of rubber nodules that do the scraping. Whilst the mint flavour was still noticed after my 3 weeks of testing, I can’t really say that this will persist over a longer period.

It is not clear what grade of metal is used in drTung’s scraper to be able to compare. I would be inclined to believe it is 316 but not marketed in this way. The head itself covers a large area of the tongue and perhaps would require less repetitive strokes as the 3 scraping edges mimic this in many respects. It does feel a little flimsy and although it is not going to break unless excessive force is used, over time the head may become weaker than the metal alternatives. 3. Orabrush Tongue Cleaner Fresh Breath Brush With Scraper There are numerous benefits to using a tongue scraper. Some key advantages include: Improved Tongue Appearance

Why is OraBrush the very best tongue cleaner? 

So if you suffer from bad breath regularly or even occasionally physically cleaning your tongue with a scraper will go a long way to helping resolve the problem. In fact, a study by Pedrazi showed a 75% reduction in the volatile sulphur compounds when using a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper helps reduce the buildup of bacteria that causes bad breath. However, you have to use it consistently. If you use your tongue scraper in the morning, it won’t benefit you after several meals. The material of the tongue scraper is also important. Plastic scrapers are often cheaper than metal ones, but they can harbor bacteria and must be replaced more frequently. Metal scrapers are usually made from stainless steel and are more durable. OraBrush bristles are designed after a soft hand brush that surgeons use to wash their hands with before surgery. With these fine bristles, no bacteria is passed!

Using a tongue scraper can help decrease bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. How to Choose a Tongue Scraper Some electric toothbrushes have a tongue cleaning mode encouraging you to use your normal toothbrush head rather than a scraper. You can usual a manual toothbrush too. Always remember to wash your tongue scraper and keep it in a dry location to avoid bacterial buildup. Plastic tongue scrapers often have to be changed more frequently than stainless steel scrapers. Summary Studies by Pedrazziand Seemann have shown that a scraper can achieve a 75% reduction in volatile sulphur compounds that contribute to bad breath. Although removing the bacteria and food debris from the tongue will help reduce bad breath, there is no evidence that is reduces the risk of dental decay or gum disease. What is a tongue scraper?

Can't I just use my toothbrush?

When shopping for a tongue scraper, look for either a plastic or metal material, a wide scraper head, and any added features that may help further clean the mouth. Additionally, you'll want to look for a tongue scraper that is easy to clean and disinfect, especially if you're regularly on the go. We researched dozens of tongue scrapers and cleaners and evaluated them for ease of use, materials, pricing, and added features. An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding oral hygiene, the efficacy of tongue scrapers, and how to evaluate them. Some, however, may not like the feeling of stainless steel on their tongue and find a plastic tongue scraper more comfortable to use. “The stainless steel tongue scrapers are best since they can be cleaned and disinfected,” says Joseph Salim, DMD, dentist at Sutton Place Dental Associates in New York. “They also last longer than their plastic counterparts.” Dr. Salim stresses that the technique used is just as important as the kind of tongue scraper used. 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. Ultimately any cleaner, be that a scraper, tongue brush or a normal toothbrush head, are more useful to you and your breath than not cleaning your tongue at all.