TikTok claims ‘tongue scrapers’ can cure bad breath – here’s what the evidence actually says
Tongue scraping has long been part of daily hygiene routines in many parts of the world.
- Tongue scraping has long been part of daily hygiene routines in many parts of the world.
- But while there’s some evidence to back these claims, the practise could also come with risks.
- Poor oral health can lead to a build-up of biofilms containing certain bacterial species which cause dental decay (cavities), gum disease and bad breath.
- But there’s less evidence showing whether these techniques are also effective for preventing tongue biofilms and bad breath.
Tongue scraping
- However, these reviews did find that the benefits of tongue scraping were shortlived and needed to be done using a specific technique to be effective.
- There are other caveats when it comes to tongue scraping.
- In these instances, tongue scraping will do little to solve bad breath.
- One study has suggested that tongue scraping may actually enrich the amount of nitrate-reducing bacteria on the tongue.
- It will be important for further research to be done with more participants to better determine both the potential benefits and harms of tongue scraping.
Should I use a tongue scraper?
- It’s also likely that the benefits and downsides of using a tongue scraper would differ for each person.
- Good oral hygiene will probably be enough to fix bad breath – and aggressive tongue scraping may actually risk making your tongue bleed.
- We also don’t yet fully know how tongue scraping will affect good bacteria on you tongue.
- Scrape your tongue, or clean your tongue with a toothbrush, with care, if you must.
Zoe Brookes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.