6 Best Tongue Scrapers to Boost Your Oral Hygiene

You brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like a pro—great job! But before we celebrate, let’s tackle the important topic: one of the best tools for oral hygiene—a tongue scraper—is noticeably missing from your routine. Your tongue plays a crucial role in your oral health, and it’s essential to give it the same care as your teeth and gums. That persistent bad breath? The plaque that’s causing a white coating on your tongue? A reduced ability to taste? Just a few daily swipes with a tongue scraper can make a significant difference.

Our Top Picks:

• Best Overall Tongue Scraper: MasterMedi Tongue Scraper, $10
• Best Single-Handle Tongue Scraper: Davids Professional Tongue Scraper, $20
• Best Antimicrobial Tongue Scraper: Keeko Copper Tongue Cleaner, $15
• Best Electric Tongue Scraper: Slate Electric Flosser, $90
• Best Value Tongue Scraper: Supersmile Ripple Edge Tongue Cleaner, $9
• Longest-Lasting Tongue Scraper: Terra & Co. Gentle Green Tongue Scraper, $15

Best Overall: MasterMedi Tongue Scraper

Courtesy of MasterMedi

Why It’s Worth It: Say goodbye to gunk with the MasterMedi Tongue Scraper, crafted from stainless steel for a squeaky clean mouth. Gentle on your tongue yet effective against white build-up, it won’t rust or mold, and you can easily clean it in the dishwasher. This set includes two convenient travel cases, allowing you to store your scraper safely in your medicine cabinet or pack it in your cosmetic bag when you’re on the go.

Editor Tip: The scraper’s wide head minimizes the risk of gagging when reaching the back of your tongue.

Material: Stainless steel | What’s Included: 2 scrapers, 2 travel cases

Best Single-Handle Tongue Scraper: Davids Professional Tongue Scraper

Why It’s Worth It: The distinctive shape of the Davids Professional Tongue Scraper, combined with the satisfying weight of the stainless steel, makes it easy to maneuver as you open wide. Its smaller, rounded head allows for greater precision, making it perfect for reaching the sides of the tongue. Comfortable and high-quality, it can help you achieve fresher breath—what a bonus!

Editor Tip: Unlike many other tongue scrapers, the Davids Professional Tongue Scraper can be used with just one hand, making it a great option for those with limited hand mobility.

Material: Stainless steel | What’s Included: 1 scraper

Best Antimicrobial Tongue Scraper: Keeko Copper Tongue Cleaner

Courtesy of Keeko Copper

Why It’s Worth It: Keeko‘s Copper Tongue Cleaner is made from 100% pure copper, a naturally antimicrobial material that effectively removes plaque and bacteria while refreshing your taste buds. The scraper features a horseshoe-shaped head with a ridgeless design for smooth gliding on your tongue.

Editor Tip: While the copper scraper may tarnish over time, this is a normal occurrence and will not impact the tool’s functionality or its antimicrobial properties.

Material: Copper | What’s Included: 1 scraper

Best Electric Tongue Scraper: Slate Electric Flosser

Courtesy of Slate Electric

Why It’s Worth It: Introducing the Slate Electric Flosser, the Swiss army knife of oral hygiene. While the word “tongue” isn’t in its name, this tool will leave your tongue feeling incredibly fresh. The three-in-one head includes one side for flossing and another for scraping, designed to fit the natural curvature of your tongue.

Editor Tip: The flosser includes five floss heads, and the brand suggests replacing them weekly. You can reorder as needed or subscribe to a $20-per-month plan for regular deliveries, available from monthly to every five months.

Material: Plastic, nylon | What’s Included: 1 scraper, 5 floss heads

Best Value: Supersmile Ripple Edge Tongue Cleaner

Courtesy of Supersmile

Why It’s Worth It: The Supersmile Ripple Edge Tongue Cleaner is a non-metal alternative featuring a unique, non-curved yet highly flexible design that allows you to reach every nook and cranny of your tongue. To use, position the plastic scraper ripple-side down and bend it into a “U” shape with both hands. Sweep the tool from back to front and rinse it off when finished.

Editor Tip: For optimal results, pair this three-pack with Supersmile Whitening Toothpaste, which not only brightens your teeth but also gently whitens veneers and bonding.

Material: Plastic | What’s Included: 3 scrapers

Longest-Lasting: Terra & Co. Gentle Green Tongue Scraper

Courtesy of Terra & Co

Why It’s Worth It: The straightforward Terra & Co. Gentle Green Tongue Scraper features grip handles for easy gliding and a wide head that allows for deeper reach. You can scrape your tongue’s surface multiple times, rinsing with mouthwash between strokes. Terra & Co.’s co-founder, Amra Hajdarevic, shared with Allure that her daily tongue scraping practice is an Ayurvedic ritual aimed at removing ama, or any buildup of toxic residue in the mind and body.

Editor Tip: According to the brand, this stainless steel tongue scraper can last up to a decade with regular washing and thorough drying.

Material: Stainless steel | What’s Included: 1 scraper

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a tongue scraper?
“Tongue scrapers help exfoliate oral debris and bacteria that accumulate on the surface of the tongue,” explains Joyce Kahng, DDS, a board-certified cosmetic dentist in New York City. “Just as you exfoliate your face to remove dead skin cells, your tongue also undergoes cell turnover,” she adds. Like the skin, the tongue can harbor bacteria that build up over time, leading to discoloration.

To delve deeper into the anatomy of the tongue, it is “covered in thousands of tiny finger-like projections called papillae, which allow us to sense flavors, textures, and temperatures,” says Chrystle Cu, DDS, a board-certified dentist and co-founder of Cocofloss in San Mateo, CA. “The papillae create a shag rug-like surface on our tongue, which can trap food debris and bacteria—tongue scrapers work by physically removing the filmy, often smelly buildup.”

So, how do you know when to use a tongue scraper? Ideally, it should be used daily. However, if you notice your tongue turning white, black, or brown, that indicates debris buildup that needs attention, according to Dr. Kahng. Additionally, scraping away bacteria on the tongue can help prevent potential health issues. “In addition to achieving fresher breath and an improved sense of taste, maintaining a clean tongue can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease,” Dr. Cu explains.

How should I choose a tongue scraper?
Tongue scrapers vary in shape, size, and material, so the choice often comes down to personal preference. “They can be made from stainless steel, copper, titanium, silicone, or plastic,” explains Dr. Cu. Choose one that you find easy to use, easy to clean, and comfortable for frequent use.

For instance, Dr. Kahng “personally prefers the two-handled version because it offers more control, while the one-handled scraper can be harder to maneuver.” In terms of material, she advocates for stainless steel over plastic. “Plastic scrapers should be replaced every three months, similar to a toothbrush, whereas stainless steel ones are durable and environmentally friendly—I’ve never had to replace mine,” Dr. Kahng states. “Copper scrapers are also popular, especially in Ayurvedic practices, but they can tarnish over time, much like the Statue of Liberty.”

How should I use a tongue scraper?
“To use a tongue scraper effectively, gently scrape your tongue twice a day—once in the morning and once at night,” Dr. Kahng advises. “Start at the back of the tongue and move forward, covering the entire surface. Avoid applying too much pressure; if you see blood, you’re scraping too hard.” The aim is to remove the top film on the tongue to maintain health and cleanliness. Regular use can even help reduce the gag reflex, particularly as you scrape toward the back.

Michael Apa, DDS, a board-certified dentist and founder of Apa Aesthetic (with locations in Los Angeles, New York City, and Dubai), recommends scraping two or three times per session, rinsing the tool under warm water between each use. After finishing, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to eliminate any remaining residue.