We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Dental & Oral Care Products The 9 Best Tongue Scrapers for Fresh Breath Prevent cavities, remove plaque, and improve your sense of taste with these top tongue scrapers. By Daley Quinn Updated on April 02, 2024 Medically reviewed by Brian T. Luong, DMD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Kristin Kempa If you suffer from bad breath, studies show that tongue scrapers can help by removing food particles and plaque that remain on your tongue. In addition to reducing bad breath, tongue scrapers can also help reduce cavities and enhance your sense of taste. Marina Gonchar, DMD, dentist and owner of Skin to Smile, suggests using a tongue scraper every day in the morning right after you floss and brush your teeth. Most tongue scrapers have a thin, flat head with a slightly curved shape, but there are many different shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from. When shopping for a tongue scraper, consider the materials (like stainless steel, copper, or plastic), the shape and design (is the tongue scraper small enough to fit in your mouth?), and ease of cleaning. To find the most effective tongue scrapers, we reached out to experts to see what qualities they look for and which products they suggest to their patients. Based on their advice and our research, these are our 10 best picks. Our Top Picks Best Tongue Scraper Overall: mastermedi Tongue Scraper at Amazon ($10) Jump to Review Best Budget Tongue Scraper: Boka Tongue Scraper at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best Tongue Scraper and Brush Combo: GUM Dual Action Tongue Cleaner at Amazon ($8) Jump to Review Best Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper: GuruNanda U-Shaped Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper at Amazon ($5) Jump to Review Best for Kids: Grin Kiddo Disposable Tongue Scrapers at Amazon ($4) Jump to Review Best Gentle Tongue Scraper: Davids Professional Tongue Scraper at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Tongue Scraper Multipack: DenTek Orabrush Tongue Cleaner at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Most Travel-Friendly Tongue Scraper: Slate Electric Flosser at Amazon ($90) Jump to Review Best Copper Tongue Scraper: DrTung's Tongue Cleaner at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected the Best Tongue Scrapers What to Look for How Does a Tongue Scraper Work? How to Use a Tongue Scraper Our Experts Why Trust Verywell Health Best Tongue Scraper Overall mastermedi Tongue Scraper Amazon View On Amazon $10 Pros Easy to use Affordable Durable Cons Extra pressure may lead to injury Key Specs Material: Stainless steel | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Rustproof, dishwasher safe, BPA-free Why We Recommend It Both Dr. Gonchar and Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio, recommend the MasterMedi Tongue Scraper. It’s a simple metal tongue scraper with a double handle. Dr. Gonchar loves that the metal is easy to clean, doesn’t harbor bacteria, and has the perfect ergonomic shape for its purpose. She also loves the handy travel case. The double handle allows for maximum surface coverage of the tongue during scraping, making it simple to perform the task. Dr. Fraundorf likes this tongue scraper because it’s made of solid stainless steel, making it easier to clean than scrapers with plastic comfort grips on the handle. This pick is also affordable and made with high-quality, durable materials. Keep In Mind If you press down too hard with this tongue scraper, you might hurt your tongue, so be careful. Best Budget Tongue Scraper Boka Tongue Scraper Amazon View On Amazon $9 Pros Easy to use Easy to clean Wide enough for larger tongues Cons May not fit narrow or small tongues Key Specs Material: Stainless steel and plastic handles | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Rustproof, comes with a linen pouch for storage Why We Recommend It At only $9 per tongue scraper, the Boka Tongue Scraper is a budget-friendly pick, which makes it a good choice if you’re trying a tongue scraper for the first time. We like this scraper because it’s made with high-quality stainless steel, which is easy to clean. It can be stored in the accompanying linen pouch for breezy travel, too. This tongue scraper is pretty wide, so it’s a great option if you have a large mouth or tongue. The plastic handles make it easy to glide across your tongue, too. Keep In Mind Because this tongue scraper is so wide, we don’t think it would work for people with small mouths. Best Tongue Scraper and Brush Combo GUM Dual Action Tongue Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $8 View On Walmart $10 View On Walgreens $4 Pros Contains bristles and a scraper Good for folks with a strong gag reflex Easy to clean Cons May be too strong for sensitive tongues Key Specs Material: Plastic | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Recommended by dental professionals, ergonomic grip handle Why We Recommend It If you want to get into the nitty gritty of tongue scraping, consider trying the GUM Tongue Cleaner. Dr. Gonchar recommends this pick to her patients because it’s a combination of a flat tongue scraper on one side and bristles on the opposite side. It provides both methods of cleaning your tongue in one handy tool. To use this tool properly, use the bristle side first to essentially dislodge any food debris and plaque that might be stuck on your tongue. Then, use the flat scraper side to remove the loosened particles from your tongue. This is a pretty small, narrow tongue scraper that will work well for small or sensitive mouths, as well as people who have a strong gag reflex. It’s easy to clean and pop into your toiletry bag for travel, as it doesn't take up a ton of room. Keep In Mind The scraper side might feel too rough if you have a sensitive tongue. Best Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper GuruNanda U-Shaped Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper Amazon View On Amazon $5 View On Gurunanda.com Pros Easy to clean Good for people with small mouths Anti-gagging design Cons Edges are softer than other scrapers Key Specs Material: Medical-grade stainless steel | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Rustproof, comes with a travel case, dishwasher safe Why We Recommend It The GuruNanda U-Shaped Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper is similar to other stainless steel tongue scrapers on the market, but it has a different design and shape, with one handle and a preset shape. Dr. Gonchar likes this scraper for smaller mouths as it requires less opening to perform the task. Because this tongue scraper doesn’t have two handles, some people might find it easier to use. We like that it comes with a travel case and can even be washed in the dishwasher if you want to get it extra clean. Keep In Mind This tongue scraper doesn’t have as sharp of an edge as others on the market and, therefore, may not feel like it's getting your tongue as clean. Best for Kids Grin Kiddo Disposable Tongue Scrapers Amazon View On Amazon $4 Pros Ergonomically designed for kids Avoids bacteria buildup Smaller than regular tongue scrapers Cons Not environment-friendly Key Specs Material: Recycled plastic | Reusable: No | Additional features: 32 tongue scrapers per pack, unflavored Why We Recommend It Kids can learn to clean their tongues, too, and Dr. Gonchar recommends Grin Kiddo Disposable Tongue Scrapers specifically for children. The tongue scraper is ergonomically designed for kids and is also disposable to avoid contamination of bacteria as a result of improper cleaning between uses. This tongue scraper is smaller than your average scraper, allowing it to properly fit into a child’s small mouth. It’s also easy to hold and unflavored. One package will last you about a month. Keep In Mind The scraper is meant for one-time use, so it isn’t the most sustainable option. Best Gentle Tongue Scraper Davids Professional Tongue Scraper Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $22 View On Davids-usa.com Pros Smaller than other options on this list Great for people with a strong gag reflex Sturdy and easy to use Cons On the smaller side You need to go over an area several times Key Specs Material: Medical-grade stainless steel | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Smaller scraper, more circular than U-shaped Why We Recommend It We chose Davids Professional Tongue Scraper as our favorite gentle pick for a few reasons. First, it’s pretty small compared to other stainless steel tongue scrapers on the market. This makes it easy to use for people with small mouths or those who have a strong gag reflex. We also like that this tongue scraper from Davids features a smooth, rounded scraper edge that’s actually designed to be gentle on your tongue. This pick is also sturdy and will keep your breath fresh all day long. Keep In Mind Some people prefer a tongue scraper that’s wider and allows for a deep clean in one fell swoop. Since this is a smaller option, you’ll have to go over your tongue multiple times to get it clean. Best Tongue Scraper Multipack DenTek Orabrush Tongue Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $15 Pros Contains bristles and a scraper Sturdy and easy to use Gentle for sensitive tongues Cons May be too wide for some Key Specs Material: Plastic | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Pack of two or four Why We Recommend It If you’re looking for a tongue scraper pack for the whole family or you replace your tongue scraper frequently, the Orabrush Tongue Scraper is the right option for you. Dr. Gonchar likes this tongue scraper because it’s a combination of a scraper and bristles. The bristles are ultra-soft and will not damage your tongue, and some people feel they add an extra layer of cleanliness. This pick comes in a two-pack or a four-pack and should be replaced every three to four months. The micro-pointed bristles are soft and non-irritating, and the scraper is simple enough to use. The scraper is well-made, sturdy, and keeps your breath fresh. Keep In Mind These tongue scrapers are pretty wide, so if you have a small mouth or a strong gag reflex, you might want to try another option. Most Travel-Friendly Tongue Scraper Slate Electric Flosser Amazon View On Amazon $90 View On Slateflosser.com Pros Dual use electric flosser and tongue scraper Tongue scraper has three layers Easy to use Cons Pricier than other options on this list Key Specs Material: Spec | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Equipped with sonic vibrations, battery powered Why We Recommend It The Slate Electric Flosser is ideal for travel because it features an electric flosser and a tongue scraper all in one. Unlike manual tongue scrapers, this pick actually vibrates while you sweep the tongue scraper down your tongue. The tongue scraper side has three different layers to really get into all the grooves of your tongue. We love that this option has a flosser, too. This device offers 12,000 sonic vibrations per minute, has unique gum sweeps, and is easy to use. You can reuse the floss heads for about a week or longer. Keep In Mind This flosser costs $90, but it will last a long time and comes with five reusable floss heads. Best Copper Tongue Scraper DrTung's Tongue Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $9 View On Walmart $9 View On Vitacost Pros Made with all copper Prevents bacteria growth Cons Not super durable Key Specs Material: Copper and rubber handles | Reusable: Yes | Additional features: Cruelty free Why We Recommend It According Mike Wei, DDS, FIADFE, a Manhattan-based cosmetic dentist and owner of Michael J. Wei DDS, copper tongue scrapers remove build-up on the tongue while also preventing the growth of bacteria. He recommends DrTung’s Copper Tongue Cleaner because it’s great at removing bacteria and residue from the tongue, thanks to its curved design and comfortable grip. This tongue scraper is also travel-friendly and easy to clean. The copper material feels a bit softer on the tongue than your traditional stainless steel tongue scraper and provides a refreshing sensation with each use. Keep In Mind This tongue scraper seems to bend easily, and might also rust faster than a stainless steel option. How We Selected the Best Tongue Scrapers To select the best tongue scrapers on the market, we spoke with dentists and researched dozens of tongue cleaners and scrapers. When creating this list, we considered: Materials Used: Tongue scrapers come in different materials. Stainless steel is environmentally friendly, reusable, long-lasting, and easy to clean. Copper tongue scrapers come with the same benefits and are known to have antibacterial properties. Plastic tongue scrapers are more portable, lightweight, and flexible. They may also have serrated edges for more intense scraping.Shape and Design: According to Dr. Wei, a good tongue scraper should have a curved shape that follows the natural contours of your tongue for optimal coverage and cleaning. The handle should be easy to grip so you can maneuver the scraper across the tongue's surface. Tongue scrapers have one or two handles. One-handle tongue scrapers have a fixed tongue scraping portion, whereas two-handle tongue scrapers can be adjusted to be broader or narrower. Affordability: Some tongue scrapers are more expensive than others. We chose products that were fairly priced and worth the cost. Reusability: Metal tongue scrapers can be cleaned and reused, while most plastic tongue scrapers need to be thrown out or recycled after each use. We included both one-time use and reusable options for our final list. Portability: Some tongue scrapers are easier to travel with than others. Big and bulky ones will take up a lot of space in your toiletry bag. What to Look for When Shopping for Tongue Scrapers Ease of Cleaning: Tongue scrapers are fairly easy to clean: Just rinse with warm water, dry, and store in a dry location. Opt for a scraper that’s dishwasher safe or easy to sanitize with mild soap and water. Stainless steel and copper are metals and easiest to clean, since they’re less likely to hold onto bacteria. Material: Choose the material that works best for your mouth and its needs. For example, you might want to choose a stainless steel tongue scraper if your priority is a long-lasting, durable scraper. Choose a plastic, disposable tongue scraper if the thought of reusing a tongue scraper grosses you out. How Does a Tongue Scraper Work? The surface of the tongue is full of taste buds. There are many different types of taste buds, but all have stalks and papilla that round out with undercuts under the stalks, similar to the shape of a mushroom, explains Dr. Fraundorf. Bad bacteria can get trapped in oxygen-poor areas and cause bacteria buildup as well as bad breath. A tongue scraper works by removing the thick biofilm on the bumpy surface of the tongue, allowing the nutrients from your healthy saliva to get in the biome underneath the caps. How to Use a Tongue Scraper Facing yourself in the mirror, stick your tongue out while holding the tongue scraper with one or both of your hands, depending on the scraper’s design. Dr. Gonchar suggests starting as far back as you can on your tongue without triggering your gag reflex. Scrape forward with gentle pressure. Repeat this process several times, rinsing the tongue scraper between each pass to remove all the bacteria and accumulated debris, then rinse your mouth thoroughly. Our Experts The experts we spoke to included: Marina Gonchar, DMD, dentist and owner of Skin to SmileErin Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening StudioMike Wei, DDS, FIADFE, a Manhattan-based cosmetic dentist and owner of Michael J. Wei DDS Why Trust Verywell Health Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She also writes for her blog, The Daley Dose. She used thorough editor insights, as well as recommendations from dentists and orthodontists, to determine the best tongue scrapers on the market. 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Choi HN, Cho YS, Koo JW. The effect of mechanical tongue cleaning on oral malodor and tongue coating. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;19(1):108. doi:10.3390/ijerph19010108 By Daley Quinn Quinn is a freelance health and lifestyle journalist based in New York City. She was a former beauty editor at Family Circle. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit