In a 2022 clinical study involving tongue scraping, researchers measured the immediate drop in volatile sulfur compounds—the gases responsible for much of the “rotten egg” or sulfur-like smell associated with bad breath. The study found a 75% reduction in sulfur compounds after tongue scraping, compared to only 45% when brushing alone.
The back of the tongue is one of the main areas where odor-producing bacteria, dead cells, and food accumulate.I watch patients brush their teeth for 1–2 minutes. They brush well. And they floss. Then they sit in my chair, say a few words, and their mouth still doesn’t smell fully clean. Their teeth may be clean—but their tongue still has that white coating that keeps the breath smelling stale.
When I introduce patients to tongue scraping, one scraper consistently gets better feedback. Based on my own experience and patient opinions, we voted the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper the best tongue scraper because its wider head covers more of the tongue in one pass.
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Bad Breath and Halitosis
Bacteria in the mouth break down dead cells, saliva proteins, and small amounts of food debris and produce volatile sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. These are among the main gases responsible for the sulfur-like smell associated with bad breath.
Bad breath is also common. A systematic review and meta-analysis estimated that 31.8% of people have halitosis—close to one in three.
Case Studies: What Researchers Found
Tongue scraping reduced sulfur compounds by 75%
A 2004 crossover clinical trial involved 10 adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Each participant used both a soft toothbrush and a tongue scraper during separate parts of the study.
The tongue scraper reduced measured volatile sulfur compounds by 75%. Cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush reduced them by 45%. Both methods removed coating, but the scraper had the greater effect on the sulfur gases linked to bad breath.
Researchers used a sulfide monitor to measure the concentration of sulfur compounds before and after cleaning. The result showed a substantial drop in the gases that cause much of the smell.
A second study compared three cleaning tools
Another clinical study comparing tongue-cleaning methods recorded the following immediate reductions in volatile sulfur compounds:
- 42% with a combined tongue cleaner
- 40% with a tongue scraper
- 33% with a toothbrush
The figures were lower than those in the 75% study, but the tongue cleaner and scraper still performed better than the toothbrush.
Removing the coating cut sulfur compounds by about half
In an earlier study involving people with periodontal disease, researchers removed the tongue coating and found that volatile sulfur compounds fell to 49% of their original level—a reduction of roughly 51%.
The patients with periodontal disease had an average of 90.1 mg of tongue coating, compared with 14.6 mg in the control group. The coating taken from the periodontal group produced around four times as much sulfur gas as coating from the controls.
This is a useful example because it shows that a heavily coated tongue is not only a cosmetic issue. A thicker coating can hold more material for odor-producing bacteria to break down.
And Scraping and Brushing
A 2013 systematic review and meta-analysis combined seven sets of results from five randomized clinical trials. Altogether, the studies included 251 people between the ages of 17 and 80.
Compared with brushing the teeth alone, brushing plus tongue cleaning produced large improvements in:
- Volatile sulfur compounds: effect size 0.745
- Tongue coating: effect size 0.922
These are statistical effect sizes, not percentage reductions. Both results indicate that adding tongue cleaning had a meaningful effect compared with brushing alone.
A 56-person trial found that technique matters
A randomized clinical trial involving 56 participants compared three methods:
- Cleaning with a toothbrush
- Cleaning with a tongue scraper
- Using both
All three methods reduced visible tongue coating and bad breath. However, hydrogen sulfide fell significantly only in the scraper group immediately after cleaning. The researchers also found that cleaning properly from the back of the tongue toward the front was more important than simply owning a particular tool.
Scrapers may be easier to tolerate than toothbrushes
In the earlier research reviewed by Cochrane, 60% of participants reported nausea when using a toothbrush on the tongue, and 10% experienced some tongue trauma. But all participants were willing to use the tongue scraper.
This helps explain why patients often prefer a smooth, wide scraper. A toothbrush has a smaller head and bristles designed for teeth. A scraper can distribute pressure over a wider section of the tongue and remove the coating in fewer passes.
In my opinion, tongue scraping is worthwhile when a visible coating remains, or breath still smells stale after brushing and flossing. It removes material that a toothbrush may not clear effectively. However, persistent bad breath can also come from gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, tonsil stones, or another condition. In those cases, scraping harder will not solve the underlying problem.
Best Tongue Scraper FAQs
What is the best tongue cleaner reddit?
Reddit users have mentioned the Mouthology tongue scraper positively. One said it makes their mouth feel cleaner, while another said it was comfortable to use.
What is best tongue scraper Amazon?
My pick on Amazon is the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper because its wider, curved head covers more of the tongue in one pass.
What is the best tongue cleaner gel?
I like Peak Essentials’ tongue cleaner gel. It contains zinc to help neutralize the sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. You also get two tubes for the price of one.
What is the best tongue scraper dentist recommended?
I’m a dentist, and I recommend the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper because both my patients and I find it the most comfortable to use.
What is the best tongue cleaner for adults?
For adults, I recommend the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper because it feels smooth on the tongue and doesn’t hurt the tongue.
What is the best tongue scraper for bad breath?
I like the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper. However, any properly designed scraper can help with bad breath, but it’s also about how comfortable it feels (the edge of the scraper) when you’re cleaning your tongue. That said, I like Mouthology’s.
What is the best tongue scraper for gag reflex?
I like the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper because its smooth edge feels comfortable on the tongue. No scraper can prevent gagging if it’s placed too far back, so start in the middle of your tongue and move back only as far as comfortable.
What is the best tongue scraper shape?
I prefer the shape of the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper because its wide, curved head follows the tongue and covers more surface in one pass.
What is the best tongue cleaner?
To clean the tongue, I like the Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper and Peak Essentials’ tongue cleaner gel.
Which tongue scraper is best?
The Mouthology dual-action tongue scraper is the tongue scraper I use. I recommend it to patients, and both my patients and I find it the most comfortable to use.