The 8 Very Best Tongue Scrapers
“Imagine your tongue as a shag rug. Anytime you eat, food is getting stuck between those fibers.”
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Sure, we all know that you shouldbrush your teethtwice a day (and floss — either with stringflossor awater flosser). But recently, I’ve taken on the extra habit of tongue scraping. The barrier for entry was low — a $10 metal instrument that takes maybe 30 seconds (if that) out of my day — and, now, it’s a must in my daily morning and nighttime routine. I simply scrape from back to front with light pressure two or three times, making sure to rinse the tool between each pass.
When I spoke to experts for this story, they were as enthusiastic about tongue cleaning, too. “Imagine your tongue as a shag rug. Anytime you eat, food is getting stuck between those fibers, or what’s called the ‘papillae’ on your tongue,” Dr. Pia Lieb, founder ofCosmetic Dentistry Center NYC, says. “When food is left out, it breaks down. The same thing happens on your tongue, and it turns into anaerobic bacteria, which stinks.” Tongue cleaning regularly should help get rid of halitosis (orbad breath), according to Dr. Lieb and other experts. And if that’s not enough reason to reach for a tongue scraper, pediatric dentist Dr. Rashmi Ambewadikar atAstoria Smilessays it can also help get rid of cavity-causing bacteria like streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. Below, the dentists, dental hygienists, and otolaryngologists told me about the tongue cleaners they use themselves and what they recommend to their patients.
Updated on March 3, 2026
I added new recommendations, including a pack of tongue cleaners and a tongue-scraping attachment for the Waterpik. I also checked prices and stock for all other products.
Whatwe’relookingfor
Material
Cleaning your tongue with a flat edge is more effective than a brush, and experts said metal — either stainless steel or copper — is their top choice. “Think of it like raking leaves on your lawn — a strong metal rake works the best,” saysDr. Jon Marashi, a Los Angeles–based cosmetic and general dentist. “Plastic is a decent option, but it comes in second place. You would never use a broom to rake leaves on your lawn because the bristles wouldn’t be strong enough to grab the leaves.” However, like toothbrushes, the tool you use habitually comes down to personal preference, so I’ve included a range of different options.
Shape
Tongue cleaners generally come in two shapes — U- and T-shaped. U-shaped scrapers are able to cover more ground on your tongue, but usually require two hands to use. T-shaped ones are most like toothbrushes and easier for people with limited dexterity.
Best overall tongue scraper
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Material:Stainless steel |Shape:T-shaped
The Tongue Sweeper Pro gets the best overall for a few reasons: It’s T-shaped, meaning easy to hold, and stainless steel, the most recommended material by experts. I use one very similar to this and love how easy it is to grab and scrape away any gunk that’s built up. I’ll test out this specific one, but I think this is worth the title since the price is right (under $15) and it stands out with the medical-grade stainless-steel material. Strategist contributor Or Gothamfirst wrote about it back in 2016, when he said the light but sturdy tool yields “sensations of both awe and distress. Gone is the cloudy layer of flotsam! Gone is bad breath! You’ll realize, as I did, that the amount of gunk not removed by simple brushing is … alarming.” And, if you’re worried about sterilization, this is dishwasher safe.
Best pack of tongue cleaners
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Material:Stainless steel |Shape:T-shaped
If you need an extra tongue cleaner, here’s a pack of two that conveniently comes with a travel case for each one. DentistDr. Michael J. Weilikes these because they’re made of stainless steel (similar to our best overall pick), meaning they’re durable and easy to clean. The biggest difference in design here compared to the pick above is that the handle is smooth instead of with easy-to-grip ridges.
Best copper tongue scraper
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Material:Copper |Shape:U-shaped
Copper was another popular material that was brought up for its antimicrobial properties (though it’s highly recommended to rinse off your tongue scraper after each use). Dr. Marashi uses this one from MasterMedi, reporting that it’s easy to clean, durable, and not susceptible to rust or mold. Although it is U-shaped, he says it’s fairly easy for most people to use and its handles have little grooves for a more stable grip.
Best pack of copper tongue scrapers
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Material:Copper |Shape:U-shaped
Dr. Ambewadikar, who says tongue scrapers are a fixture in most Indian households (since the practice is common in Ayurvedic practice), is also a fan of the copper models. She buys multipacks of them so that she can store them in her bathrooms,travel kit, office, and gym bag. Her preference is the U-shaped cleaners, since they give the scraper the most traction against the tongue. This pack of 12 costs about $15, meaning they come out to just a little over $1 each.
Best tongue scraper for sensitive mouths
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Material:Plastic |Shape:T-shaped
Those with more sensitive mouths might want to consider this DenTek cleaner, which comes recommended by Dr. Lana Rozenberg, a dentist atRozenberg Dental NYC. “It’s made of plastic, and softer on the tongue than other options,” she says. “This is a great choice for those who want to avoid the harsher scrape you get with metal cleaners.” The handle is similar to that of a toothbrush, making it easy to grip, and the head is composed of three concentric mint-flavored circle edges. Rozenberg notes, this means you’re essentially getting three scrapes with every one motion.
Best tongue scraper for kids
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Material:Plastic |Shape:T-shaped
If you want to get your kids into the habit of tongue scraping — which Dr. Ambewadikar suggested should be part of their twice-daily oral-hygiene routine — this set of candy-inspired scrapes is a good place to start. “These have a fun shape, are colorful, and are easy for kids to hold,” says Dr. Ambewadikar. “Ease them into it — start in the middle of the tongue, then pull it forward. Once they get used to it, work on starting a little further back.” Each of these scrapers comes with a plastic cover, ensuring they’ll stay germ-free in themedicine cabinet.
Best tongue brush
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Orabrush Tongue Cleaner
We’re including one tongue brush on the list, because they can help dislodge food particles and bacteria between taste buds for patients with deep grooves in their tongue (referred to as fissures). Steven Smith, a dental hygienist at Nassau Street Dental, notes that if food gets trapped in those fissures, bacteria can grow and then break down to release noxious gases, a.k.a. bad breath. And if you’re someone with deep tongue grooves, it’s a good idea to specifically invest in a tongue brush, rather than a toothbrush you can also use to clean your tongue. “As tempting as it is to assume the toothbrush would do the same job as a tongue brush, toothbrush bristles are too soft because they are designed to brush teeth but not damage enamel so they tend not to remove enough biofilm from the tongue,” Smith says. It’s also a good choice for folks new to tongue scrapers, says Dr. Fadi Swaida ofBond Street Dental. Even though he likes stainless-steel scrapers for their effectiveness, this offers something gentler.
Best tongue-cleaner attachment for Waterpiks
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If you already own a Waterpik, here’s an easy attachment to add on. DentistDr. Richard Liparisays it’s ideal for patients with sensitivity issues or limited dexterity since it scrapes and rinses simultaneously, gently flushing away bacteria and debris. It doesn’t come included with Waterpik devices, so you’ll have to purchase the attachment separately. And, it’s compatible with most models, including our top pick for the best overallwater flosser.
Our experts
• Dr. Rashmi Ambewadikar, pediatric dentist atAstoria Smiles
• Or Gotham, Strategist contributor
• Dr. Pia Lieb, founder ofCosmetic Dentistry Center NYC
•Dr. Richard Lipari, cosmetic dentist
•Dr. Jon Marashi, Los Angeles-based cosmetic and general dentist
• Dr. Lana Rozenberg, a dentist atRozenberg Dental NYC
• Steven Smith, dental hygienist at Nassau Street Dental
• Dr. Fadi Swaida, dentist at Bond Street Dental
•Dr. Michael J. Wei, cosmetic dentist
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