Ideally, we should all be brushing (and flossing) twice a day. In addition to keeping your teeth, gums, and the rest of your body healthy, it helps cut down on bad breath — which is especially important these days when we’re smelling our own breath inside a mask. But what if you’re consistently brushing and flossing and you STILL have bad breath?
Truth be told, our mouths are full of bacteria which is why flossing and brushing are so important. Although that sounds sort of yucky, it’s actually good. These bacteria exist to break down proteins from our food so that they’re more easily digestible. Thanks, guys!
Bad breath results from what those microorganisms leave behind: a byproduct called sulfur compounds that, well, stinks.
Here’s the rub: when it comes to bad breath, tongue scrapers are effective… at least temporarily.
Unfortunately, there’s not enough research to determine whether or not tongue scraping helps with ongoing halitosis, aka chronic bad breath.
What we DO know for sure is that tongue scraping is a great fix for a coated tongue, which is what happens when you have a buildup of debris, bacteria, and dead cells. Tongue scraping also has a few other benefits, namely an improved sense of taste as well as an improvement in overall health. Removing bacteria is key to preventing cavities, gum disease, and other conditions that specifically affect the mouth.
Using a tongue scraper in the morning won’t prevent bad breath from developing later in the day, since bacteria build up as you eat and drink. At minimum, you can scrape your tongue after you brush your teeth, but for those who are extra concerned with bad breath, there’s no harm in scraping after every meal.
No amount of tongue scraping can replace a good toothbrush
It’s also important to remember that tongue scrapers remove 30 percent more volatile sulfur compounds than a soft bristle toothbrush. Basically, it’s a great idea to have both in your bad-breath-beating toolkit.
By the way, it’s important to monitor your bad breath and how it changes over time. Sometimes it’s a result of poor dental hygiene or dehydration, but in rare cases, it can point to a more serious health problem. And just like your toothbrush, you should replace your tongue scraper every 3-4 months or immediately after an illness.