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Most people know that brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy, but did you know that cleaning your tongue is just as important? While no one likes to think of their mouth as being "dirty", the average tongue is teeming with food particles, dead cells, and odor-causing bacteria — even after thorough brushing.
The good news is that simply adding an extra step to your daily routine will keep your tongue in tip-top shape. Whether your goal is fresher breath or improved oral hygiene, a tongue cleaner can help you achieve it.
Tongue cleaners serve a very specific and rather straightforward purpose, but using one does far more than simply keep your tongue clean.
A tongue cleaner can:
Tongue cleaners come in a handful of different styles.
Tongue scrapers typically have a thin, flat surface that's used to gently sweep over the tongue, collecting buildup along the way.
Tongue brushes have thick, soft bristles that work to loosen debris and buildup. While tongue brushes can help dislodge stubborn dirt, they aren't as effective as scrapers when it comes to actually removing it.
Two-in-one tongue cleaners feature both a brush and a scraper. While some models certainly do a decent job, more often than not, these tend to work better as a brush with moderate scraping abilities.
Although tongue cleaners have a relatively simple design, shapes can vary. Some consist of a single piece of metal that's molded to form an arch at the top with two handles at the bottom. Others have a single handle with a scraper head on top. The simplest tongue cleaners consist of a straight but flexible length of plastic that can be bent into an arch for scraping.
For effective cleaning, a tongue cleaner needs to be long enough to reach all the way to the back of your tongue. Of course, not everyone's tongue is the same length, and measuring it can be tricky, if not impossible. Since the average tongue measures approximately four inches long, it's a good idea to choose a tongue cleaner that matches or exceeds this length. Don't forget to consider the overall size of your mouth, as well. A tongue cleaner head that's too wide can be exceptionally uncomfortable to use, and if your mouth happens to be particularly small, it may not fit at all.
Tongue cleaners are typically made of copper, stainless steel, or plastic. When it comes to removing debris, the sharper, firmer surface of a metal tongue cleaner has a definite edge over its plastic counterparts. However, if you're new to the practice of tongue scraping or have a sensitive tongue, you might find the softer texture of a plastic tongue cleaner or a brush more comfortable to use.
While every tongue cleaner has a handle of sorts, not all are created equal. For instance, some models are merely a continuous length of metal or plastic with thin, uniform handles that don't do much to improve grip. Others feature wider bottoms or chunky plastic handles that make them easier to grasp. Many plastic tongue cleaners have ergonomic handles with textured surfaces or a rubber coating for improved grip.
The average tongue cleaner is unlikely to break the bank, but prices can vary depending on the design and construction materials.
Inexpensive
Because plastic tongue cleaners are cheaper to manufacture, they tend to be the least-expensive options, with prices ranging from approximately $6 to $12 for a multipack of several scrapers. However, it's worth noting that plastic tongue cleaners need to be replaced more frequently than metal varieties.
Mid-range
Sturdier plastic tongue scrapers, brushes, and two-in-one tongue cleaners can cost anywhere from $4 to $7 for a single item or $8 to $20 for a multipack.
Expensive
Stainless steel and copper tongue cleaners have a significantly longer shelf life than plastic models and typically cost between $4 to $12 for a single scraper. However, a handful of basic models are available in packs of two or four for around the same price.
Q. How often should I clean my tongue?
A. As a rule of thumb, it's best to clean your tongue at least once a day — twice if possible. For the best results, make tongue cleaning a part of your everyday oral care routine by following up every brush and floss with a cleansing scrape.
Q. When should I replace my tongue cleaner?
A. While there's no hard and fast rule regarding the frequency of tongue cleaner replacements, most dental care experts agree that plastic models should be treated in much the same manner as your toothbrush: discard and replace them every three to four months. Copper and stainless steel models, on the other hand, aren't as susceptible to wear and tear and don't harbor bacteria when cared for properly, drastically increasing shelf life.
Q. Can a child use a tongue cleaner?
A. Absolutely! It's never too early to instill good oral hygiene habits, but don't forget to choose an appropriate size, demonstrate proper technique, and supervise each cleaning.
