Finding the proper tongue scraper for your tongue can be difficult. Our mouths are sensitive and require proper care otherwise we might accidentally harm our tongue or taste buds. This is why choosing the right tongue cleaner is essential. To help, we’ve put together this comprehensive buyer’s guide so you can make the right purchase for your oral health. Let’s take a look!
What You Should Consider When Buying a Tongue Scraper
Material
The most important thing you need to consider when buying a tongue scraper is the material it’s made out of. The material is directly related to how well the tongue cleaner performs. If the product is made from a brittle plastic, it’s likely to break under the slightest amount of pressure. If the material is too harsh – like sharp steel – you might accidentally damage your tongue or taste buds. Look for a stainless steel option with a rounded edge or a plastic tongue scraper that’s flexible and soft.
Comfort of use
A tongue scraper is something you’ll likely use as part of your everyday oral care routine. Because of this, it needs to be comfortable to hold. The comfort depends on the handle design, if it's one-handed or two-handed, and if the handle has soft edges or not. While comfort is entirely up to personal preference, we recommend looking for one that conforms to your hand and is easy to hold.
Maintenance
Because you will be using your scraper almost every day, it will come in contact with water and germs often. If the scraper is made from plastic, it likely has a short life span and you don’t need to worry about maintaining it. If you’re planning to purchase a steel scraper, always choose a rust-resistant option. Also, make sure that the U at the head of the scraper is easy to clean. Most of the germs and buildup will occur here, so you’ll want to be able to easily sterilize it from time to time.
Design
Tongue scrapers come in many shapes and forms. However, not all of them are created equal. Some are more compatible with larger mouths, while some are perfect for a child’s mouth. Before choosing your scraper, make sure you’ve determined it will match your needs. Keep in mind the following design features: one-handed vs two-handed, non-slip handles, and maneuverability.
How to Use a Tongue Scraper
Although using a tongue scraper is reasonably straightforward, as an oral hygiene tool, you can never be too careful. Below, we’ve prepared a step-by-step guide on how to use a tongue scraper. These steps will help you achieve a clean mouth while avoiding accidental injury.
- First, rinse your mouth to soften the plaque build-up on your tongue.
- You can also brush your teeth beforehand to get additional cleansing support from the toothpaste.
- If you have a U-shaped scraper, place the loop of the scraper (the U-head) at the back of your tongue while holding both scrapers handles firmly. Pull the scraper gently forward while keeping it in contact with the surface of your tongue. Rinse off the scraper and your mouth after every pass.
- For a scraper with a head, simply run it across the length of your tongue. Once the buildup comes off, clean it before making another pass.
- After scraping your tongue, properly wash and dry off your tongue scraping tool. Then, gargle to remove any loose plaque from your mouth.
