Short Answer: Yes. Clinical research shows that tongue scraping reduces odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds by approximately 75%, compared to about 45% when cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush. ⁴
Brushing your teeth is essential, but it is not the full picture. Modern oral health research consistently shows that one of the largest sources of bacteria in the mouth isn’t the teeth, but the tongue. Ignore it, and you’re giving cavity-causing bacteria a place to thrive right in the center of your mouth, creating the unmistakable “rotten egg” smell associated with bad breath.
What is Tongue Scraping?
Tongue scraping is a mechanical cleaning method designed specifically for the tongue’s anatomy. Instead of agitating bacteria, a tongue scraper lifts and removes the bacterial covering entirely, in a controlled, directional motion.
Why Cleaning Your Tongue Is Important for Oral Health
The surface of the tongue naturally collects a biofilm – a buildup of bacteria, food debris, saliva proteins, and dead skin cells. This coating forms quickly and is one of the primary sources of halitosis (bad breath) in the mouth.⁴,²
When biofilm is left on the tongue, it can easily migrate throughout the mouth. Over time, this bacterial load can contribute to multiple oral health issues, affecting not only breath but the overall balance of bacteria in the mouth.
The 4 Main Benefits of Tongue Scraping
1. Improved oral health and cavity prevention
Removing bacteria from the tongue reduces the overall bacterial load in the mouth, thereby decreasing the spread of cavity-causing bacteria to teeth and gums.
2. Fresher breath
Tongue scraping removes bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds, the bacteria responsible for the “rotten egg” smell, addressing bad breath at its source, rather than masking it.³
3. Improved taste perception
When the biofilm covers taste buds, sensory input is affected. Removing the coating can restore sensitivity to sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors.³
4. Reduced tongue and tooth discoloration
A buildup of bacteria and debris on the tongue can contribute to a visible coating and increase the transfer of staining compounds onto tooth surfaces. Through the proper removal of this biofilm, tongue scraping reduces the risk of discoloration.
How Tongue Scraping Fits Into a Complete Oral Care Routine
Tongue scraping does not replace brushing or flossing; it completes the routine. Studies show that combining brushing with tongue scraping is significantly more effective at reducing bacteria in the mouth than brushing alone.³
A toothbrush is designed for hard surfaces such as enamel and the gumline, while the tongue is a soft, textured surface where bacteria easily collect and grow. When a toothbrush is used on the tongue, the bristles often spread this buildup rather than removing it.
Is a Metal Tongue Scraper Better Than a Plastic One?
Non-porous surface
Stainless steel is non-porous, meaning it does not absorb bacteria or odors over time, unlike plastic. This makes metal tongue scrapers easier to clean and more hygienic for long-term daily use.
Pressure control and effectiveness
Metal tongue scrapers maintain their shape, allowing for consistent pressure and effective biofilm removal with fewer strokes. This controlled rigidity is one reason metal scrapers have been shown to outperform softer alternatives.⁷
Eco-friendly and long-lasting
Plastic tongue scrapers can bend, wear down, and require frequent replacement. A well-designed stainless steel tongue scraper, like Etinour’s Eternal Tongue Scraper, is built to last for years. Made to be dishwasher-safe and durable, it’s intended as a permanent part of a daily oral care routine rather than a disposable accessory.
How To Properly Use a Tongue Scraper?
How often should a tongue scraper be used?
Once or twice daily is sufficient for most people: ⁶
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In the morning, even before drinking water
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After brushing ³
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Anytime you want to freshen your breath
Step-by-step
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Extend your tongue and relax your mouth
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Place the scraper toward the back of your tongue (or mid-tongue if sensitive)
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Make sure the scraper is correctly positioned — on the Etinour Eternal Tongue Scraper, the logo should be facing upward — then gently pull forward in one smooth motion
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Rinse and repeat 5-8 times, ensuring that you cover the center as well as both sides of the tongue.
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Rinse your mouth and clean the tongue scraper thoroughly, then dry it after use
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Store the scraper in a clean, dry place, ideally upright in a holder
So, Is It Worth Adding a Tongue Scraper to Your Daily Routine?
Based on decades of clinical research, historical practice, and modern oral health science, the answer is yes. Tongue scraping is one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make to your oral hygiene routine, protecting both your teeth and your breath.
Common Tongue Scraping Myths and Misconceptions
“Brushing my tongue is the same.”
→ Studies show lower bacterial reduction when used in tandem with brushing
“It damages taste buds.”
→ Proper technique is safe and non-damaging. Keeping the tongue clean improves taste perception.
“It’s only for bad breath.”
→ It improves overall bacterial balance, helping eliminate bad breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Is tongue scraping safe?”
→ Yes, when done gently and correctly.
“Can it replace mouthwash?”
→ It removes bacteria rather than masking odor, which mouthwash often does not. For best results, tongue scraping should be used alongside brushing, flossing, and mouthwash rather than as a replacement.
“Do dentists recommend it?”
→ Yes! Dentists and clinical literature consistently support its use as a part of daily oral care.
The History of Tongue Scraping in Traditional Oral Care
Tongue cleaning is not a modern invention. It has been practiced for thousands of years across India, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and South America.
Ancient civilizations, including those in India, used tongue scrapers with curved edges crafted from metals such as silver, gold, copper, tin, and brass. In Europe, particularly in England, silversmiths began producing long, thin, flexible metal tongue scrapers by the late 18th century, with documented examples dating back to 1794.²
Modern science has since validated what these traditions observed empirically.
Sources:
Bollen CM, Beikler T. Halitosis: the multidisciplinary approach. Int J Oral Sci. 2012 Jun;4(2):55–63. doi: 10.1038/ijos.2012.39. PMID: 22722640; PMCID: PMC3412664.
Christen AG, Swanson BZ Jr. Oral hygiene: a history of tongue scraping and brushing. J Am Dent Assoc. 1978 Feb;96(2):215–9. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8177(16)30453-6. PMID: 342578.
Lipat CZR, Aquino KYA, Solmeron PCM, Verano PA, Villones PDS, Clerigo ME. Tongue scraping: A reduction of bacterial count in the oral cavity. Asia Pacific Journal of Allied Health Sciences. 2018;1:201–212.
Pedrazzi V, Sato S, de Mattos Mda G, Lara EH, Panzeri H. Tongue-cleaning methods: a comparative clinical trial employing a toothbrush and a tongue scraper. J Periodontol. 2004 Jul;75(7):1009–12. doi: 10.1902/jop.2004.75.7.1009. PMID: 15341360.
Quirynen M, Avontroodt P, Soers C, Zhao H, Pauwels M, Van Steenberghe D. Impact of tongue cleansers on microbial load and taste. J Clin Periodontol. 2004;31:506–510. doi: 10.1111/j.0303-6979.2004.00507.x
Sotozono M, Kuriki N, Asahi Y, Noiri Y, Hayashi M, Motooka D, et al. Impact of sleep on the microbiome of oral biofilms. PLOS ONE. 2021;16(12):e0259850. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259850
Spolidorio D, Tardivo T, dos Reis Derceli J, Neppelenbroek K, Duque C, Spolidorio L, Pires J. Evaluation of two alternative methods for disinfection of toothbrushes and tongue scrapers. Int J Dent Hyg. 2011;9:279–283. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00503.x
