To maintain optimal oral hygiene and fresh breath, dentists generally recommended scraping your tongue once a day, preferably as part of your daily oral care routine.

Tongue scraping helps remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue which prevents odor-causing compounds from building up. By removing these debris from your tongue daily, you'll promote fresher breath and an overall healthier mouth.

However, you may find that scraping your tongue more frequently, such as twice a day, particularly after meals, can be beneficial especially if you're prone to bad breath or notice significant buildup on your tongue throughout the day. Ultimately, the frequency of tongue scraping depends on your individual needs and preferences, so feel free to adjust your routine accordingly to maintain a healthy mouth.

In this article, I'll explain everything you need to know about how often to clean your tongue.

First, what is tongue scraping?

Tongue scraping is a simple oral hygiene practice that involves using a small, specially designed tool called a tongue scraper to clean the surface of your tongue.

A tongue scraper is a small, handheld tool designed to remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. It typically consists of a thin, curved metal or plastic head with a textured surface and a handle for easy grip.

Tongue scrapers come in various shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same purpose of improving oral hygiene by cleaning your tongue and removing tongue coating. Using a tongue scraper is a simple and effective way to reduce bad breath, reduce bacteria buildup, and promote overall oral health.

Do tongue scrapers work?

Yes, tongue scrapers work to remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of our tongues. This process can help reduce bad breath, improve taste perception, and enhance overall oral hygiene.

Tongue scraping is an effective practice backed up by research (which we'll get into later!). In fact, many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of tongue scraping in reducing bad breath and the amount of harmful bacteria in our mouths.

However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of tongue scrapers may vary depending on factors such as your oral hygiene habits and how frequently you tongue scrape.

How to Use a Tongue Scraper

To use a tongue scraper effectively, follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the Tongue Scraper: Before brushing your teeth, hold the tongue scraper with both hands, ensuring that the scraping edges are facing downward and away from your tongue.

2. Position the Scraper: Extend your tongue out of your mouth as far as comfortably possible. Place the rounded edge of the scraper at the back of your tongue, near your throat, ensuring that it covers as much surface area as possible.

3. Scrape Your Entire Tongue: With gentle pressure, slowly pull the scraper forward along the surface of your tongue toward the tip. Avoid pressing too hard to prevent irritation or discomfort. Repeat this scraping motion several times, covering the entire surface of the tongue.

4. Rinse the Scraper: After each scraping pass, make sure to rinse the scraper under running warm water to remove any debris or residue. You can also wipe it clean with a tissue or cloth if necessary.

5. Repeat as Needed: Continue scraping your tongue until no more residue is removed, typically around 5-10 scraping passes. Be sure to focus on the center and back areas of the tongue, where bacteria and debris tend to accumulate most.

6. Clean the Scraper: Once you've finished scraping your tongue, thoroughly clean the scraper with soap and water or an alcohol-based solution to prevent bacterial buildup between uses.

Finally, after tongue scraping, make sure to use expanding floss, toothpaste tablets, and alkaline mouthwash to thoroughly clean your mouth and remove any other remaining bacteria.

When should you use a tongue scraper?

You should ideally tongue scrape at least once a day, preferably in the morning before brushing your teeth. However, if you notice persistent bad breath throughout the day or if your tongue feels coated, you may benefit from scraping your tongue more frequently, such as after meals, before important social events, or before bed.

Many people prefer to scrape their tongues twice per day before brushing teeth. Just remember to add tongue scraping to your routine along with brushing and flossing to keep your mouth in tip-top shape.

Should you scrape your tongue before or after brushing your teeth?

While the order of your oral care routine doesn't particularly matter, we recommend using a tongue scraper before brushing your teeth. By scraping your tongue first, you remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue, which can help improve oral hygiene and prevent bad breath.

After using your tongue scraper, you can proceed to brush your teeth as usual, ensuring your mouth is thoroughly cleaned.

However, regardless of which one you use first, it's best to incorporate both tongue scraping and brushing into your oral care regimen to ensure a more thorough cleaning, addressing areas that brushing alone may not cover.

How often should you scrape your tongue?

For optimal oral hygiene and fresher breath, dentists recommend tongue scraping at least once a day, preferably in the morning, after brushing your teeth. However, if you notice persistent bad breath throughout the day or if your tongue feels coated, you may benefit from scraping your tongue more frequently, such as after meals or before important social events.

Just remember to use gentle pressure when scraping to avoid irritation or injury to the delicate tissues of your tongue. If you start to experience any irritation or soreness from tongue scraping too frequently, reduce how often you tongue scrape until you find a cadence that works for you.

Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Metal tongue scrapers offer several benefits for our oral health. Let's walk through some of the most important ones now.

REMOVES BACTERIA AND DEAD CELLS

Tongue scraping is one of the most effective methods for eliminating bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. By gently scraping your tongue, you can remove these kinds of impurities that contribute to bad breath and other potential oral health issues.

Reduces Bad Breath

Tongue scraping is an effective method for reducing bad breath by removing bacteria, food particles, and debris that accumulate on our tongues throughout the day. These impurities can harbor odor-causing compounds and contribute to halitosis.

By regularly scraping the tongue, you can significantly reduce the presence of these compounds, leading to fresher breath. In addition to scraping your tongue, you can also consider using herbal mouthwash to freshen your breath.

Improves Taste

Improving taste perception is another key benefit of tongue scraping. Over time, a buildup of bacteria and debris on the tongue can dull taste buds and diminish your ability to fully experience flavors. By removing this buildup, tongue scraping restores the sensitivity of our taste buds, allowing for a more enjoyable eating experience.

Enhances Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Tongue scraping is an ideal step to include in your daily oral hygiene routine as it removes bacteria from your tongue before flossing and brushing.

Since tongue scraping isn't enough to prevent tooth decay and remove plaque from along the gumline, be sure to brush your teeth with toothpaste tablets twice a day, use expandable floss daily, and use alcohol free mouthwash as needed.

Freshens Breath

Tongue scraping not only reduces bad breath but also freshens your breath by eliminating odor-causing bacteria and debris from the surface of your tongue. This process removes the source of foul odors in the mouth, resulting in a noticeably fresher and cleaner breath.

May Decrease Risks of Periodontal Disease

Because halitosis is correlated with periodontal disease, regular tongue scraping may reduce your risk of periodontal disease by removing bacteria and debris that can contribute to gum inflammation and infection.

By maintaining a healthier oral microbiome and reducing plaque and tartar buildup, tongue scraping supports gum health and helps prevent the progression of periodontal disease. While further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between tongue scraping and periodontal health, this practice shows promising potential as a preventive measure against gum disease.

Convenient and Accessible

Incorporating tongue scraping into your daily oral care routine is quick, easy, and convenient. It requires minimal time and effort but provides significant benefits, making it an excellent addition to your existing dental hygiene practices.

Is tongue scraping safe?

Yes, tongue scraping is generally considered safe for most people. 

Studies suggest that it can effectively remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the tongue’s surface, which may improve oral hygiene. 

Research indicates that tongue scraping can reduce bad breath (halitosis) more effectively than brushing alone. It is a non-invasive practice that involves using a specially designed tool to gently clean the tongue without causing damage. 

Additionally, regular tongue scraping may help improve the sense of taste by removing buildup that can dull taste buds. However, improper or overly aggressive scraping could potentially irritate the tongue, so gentle technique is recommended. 

Overall, tongue scraping is a beneficial and safe addition to daily oral care routines when done correctly.

What are the side effects of tongue scraping?

While tongue scraping is generally safe and effective, it may cause minor side effects such as gagging, tongue irritation, and temporary soreness for some people. Further, depending on how far back you place the scraper, it may activate your gag reflex.

However, these risks are avoidable if you tongue scrapes gently and with a smooth-edged scraper.

It's essential to be mindful of proper technique and to listen to your body's cues to prevent any discomfort or adverse reactions. If you experience persistent issues or discomfort, you should discontinue tongue scraping and consult with a dental professional for further guidance.

What are the different types of tongue scrapers?

The two most common types of tongue scrapers include metal tongue scrapers and plastic tongue scrapers. Metal tongue cleaners are typically made of stainless steel or copper and are known for their durability and effectiveness. They often have a curved shape and may feature ridges or grooves to enhance the cleaning action.

On the other hand, plastic tongue scrapers are usually made of medical-grade plastic and are lightweight and affordable. They come in various shapes and sizes, including flat, curved, or U-shaped designs, and may have textured surfaces for improved cleaning.

The specific type of tongue scraper you choose will depend on personal preference and comfort. That said, most people prefer to use metal tongue cleaners to reduce plastic consumption.

Tongue Scraping vs. Brushing Your Tongue

Using a tongue scraper and brushing your tongue are both effective methods for removing bacteria and debris from the surface of your tongue, but tongue scraping is more effective.

Tongue scraping involves using a specialized tool, typically plastic tongue scrapers or stainless steel tongue scrapers, to gently remove buildup from the surface of your entire tongue. This method is particularly effective at removing the thick coating that can accumulate on our tongues throughout the day, leading to bad breath and potential oral health issues like gum disease.

On the other hand, brushing your tongue involves using your toothbrush to scrub the surface of the tongue during your regular brushing routine. While brushing can help remove some bacteria and debris, research shows tongue brushing is not as effective as tongue scraping at fighting bad breath and removing harmful bacteria.

What else do you need for good oral health?

In addition to incorporating tongue scraping into your oral care routine, there are several other tips you can follow to improve your oral health.

Brush With Nano Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Brushing with nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste is beneficial for strengthening tooth enamel, remineralization, and preventing and reversing tooth decay.

Nano hydroxyapatite is a natural mineral that makes up the majority of our tooth structure and has been shown to remineralize enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria.

By using toothpaste with nano hydroxyapatite, you can help protect your teeth from decay and maintain a healthy smile.

Use Expanding Floss Daily

Using expanding floss daily is essential for removing plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along the gumline. Expanding floss is designed to expand when it comes into contact with saliva, allowing it to clean more effectively between tight spaces and beneath the gumline.

By flossing daily, you can reduce your risk of demineralization and tooth decay, gum issues, and bad breath.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to scrape tongue everyday?
Yes, it is generally safe to scrape your tongue every day as part of your oral hygiene routine. Scraping your tongue helps remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells, promoting fresher breath and overall oral health. However, it's important to be gentle while scraping to avoid irritation or damage to the tongue's surface. If you experience any discomfort or irritation, you may want to reduce the frequency of tongue scraping or consult with a dentist for guidance.

Can you overuse a tongue scraper?
Yes, it is possible to overuse a tongue scraper. Excessive scraping can lead to irritation or damage to the delicate tissues of the tongue. It's important to use gentle pressure and avoid scraping too vigorously or too frequently. Overuse may also strip away healthy bacteria that are beneficial for maintaining oral health. It's recommended to scrape your tongue once a day or as needed for fresher breath and oral hygiene, but be mindful not to overdo it.

Can tongue scrapers damage taste buds?
No, tongue scrapers generally do not damage taste buds when used properly. However, aggressive or improper scraping techniques could potentially cause irritation or damage to the delicate tissues of the tongue, including taste buds. It's essential to use gentle pressure and avoid scraping too vigorously to minimize any risk of harm to taste buds. If you experience any discomfort or changes in taste sensation after using a tongue scraper, it's advisable to discontinue use and consult with a dentist or healthcare professional.

Should I use a tongue scraper before or after brushing?
We recommend using a tongue scraper before brushing your teeth. Scraping your tongue beforehand helps remove initial buildup of bacteria, food debris, and dead cells, allowing the toothpaste to penetrate more effectively during brushing. This sequence can enhance the overall effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine and contribute to fresher breath.

Should you tongue scrape in the morning or at night?
It's beneficial to scrape your tongue both in the morning and at night as part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Scraping your tongue in the morning helps remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that may have accumulated overnight, contributing to fresher breath and improved oral hygiene throughout the day. Similarly, scraping your tongue at night helps remove any buildup that has accumulated throughout the day, promoting oral health while you sleep and reducing the risk of morning breath. Incorporating tongue scraping into both your morning and nighttime routines can help maintain your optimal oral hygiene.

How often should I scrape my tongue?
Ideally, you should scrape your tongue both in the morning and at night as part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Scraping your tongue in the morning helps remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that may have accumulated overnight, contributing to fresher breath and improved oral hygiene throughout the day.

How often to clean tongue scraper?
You should clean your tongue scraper after each use with soap and warm water. This prevents bacteria buildup and ensures the longevity of your tongue scraper.

Should I scrape my tongue after every meal?
Scraping your tongue after every meal is not necessary, but doing it once or twice a day, such as during your morning or evening oral hygiene routine, can help maintain cleanliness and freshen breath. Studies suggest that regular tongue scraping effectively removes bacteria and debris that contribute to bad breath and oral health issues. If you choose to scrape after meals, ensure a gentle technique to avoid irritation.

What is the white stuff I scrape off my tongue?
The white stuff scraped off your tongue is typically a combination of bacteria, food debris, dead cells, and mucus that accumulate on the tongue's surface. Studies suggest that this buildup, often called a biofilm, can contribute to bad breath and affect oral health if not removed. Regular tongue scraping helps reduce this layer, promoting a cleaner mouth and fresher breath.