If you have recently picked up the oral hygiene trend of tongue scraping and are shopping for your first tongue scraper, you may have run into this common problem: there are SO MANY different varieties of tongue scraping devices out on the market! From brushes to strips to strange, curvy metal contraptions, there are a plethora of unique designs and materials to choose from that might be overwhelming to figure out for a tongue hygiene newbie.
In this guide, we will walk you through all of the different materials and form factors that tongue cleaners come in and explore all of the pros and cons of each.
What Materials Are Tongue Scrapers Made Of?
Modern toothbrushes are generally made out of plastic and floss is usually comprised of teflon or nylon. When it comes to tongue cleaners, however, it may be daunting to stick a strangely shaped tongue scraper fashioned out of metal into your mouth for the first time. To help put you at ease, let us familiarize you with all of the materials most tongue cleaners are made out of.
Plastic Tongue Scrapers
Pros: In modern times, plastic is the preferred material for a tongue scraper as it is affordable, pliable, gentler on the tongue, and easily replaceable.
Cons: The disadvantages of plastic for tongue scrapers is that they generally need to be replaced every 3 to 4 months similar to the lifespan of a toothbrush. Make sure to properly recycle them to do your part to preserve our environment!
Copper Tongue Scrapers
Pros: Copper has long been the primary material used for tongue scrapers in Ayurvedic and traditional Indian medicine practices. Tongue cleaners fashioned out of copper usually have a u-shaped form factor connected to metal or plastic handles. The EPA has identified copper as an antimicrobial metal that kills most bacteria on its surface within a few hours.
Cons: One major drawback of copper tongue scrapers is their susceptibility to tarnishing if not properly cared for. After use, you must completely dry it before storage or oxidation will discolor the copper. Proper sizing and cost are also factors to keep in mind when opting for a copper tongue scraper.
Stainless Steel Tongue Scrapers
Pros: Similar to the copper variety, medical grade stainless steel tongue scrapers are durable and long-lasting. Unlike copper tongue cleaners however, stainless steel tongue cleaners are resistant to corrosion and do not present the same risks of heavy metal toxicity that copper does.
Cons: Like copper, a stainless steel tongue scraper is more expensive than its plastic counterparts. Metal tongue scrapers generally are more rigid and have a fixed shape so will not work for every tongue size and shape. When shopping for a metal tongue cleaner, you will need to try out many different brands and designs to find the one that conforms to your tongue.
Various Tongue Scraper Shapes and Sizes
Rigid U-Shape (Metal)
Metal tongue scrapers typically come in a curved U-shape with metal or plastic handles.
Pros: The rigid U-shape of metal scrapers allow you to move the scraper forward without simultaneously bending the device. This might be preferable for severely uncoordinated individuals or people who have extremely low finger strength and dexterity.
Cons: Conversely, the rigid, fixed shape of metal cleaners require you to perfectly size the device to your tongue. If the tongue scraper is too wide or narrow for your mouth, it will be difficult to reach the back of your tongue and hinder bacterial buildup in the deeper recesses of your mouth. Metal also isn’t the best tongue scraper for travel as they are bulky and have a fixed shape.
Flexible U-Shape (Plastic)
A flexible plastic tongue scraper typically is a flat plastic strip that can be bent to mould to the shape of your tongue.
Pros: Because plastic strip tongue scrapers are flexible, they provide a gentler, more custom experience when moving the scraper forward on your tongue. They are also compact and easy to store and carry with you when traveling.
Cons: When shopping for a plastic scraper, avoid ones that are too thin or have sharp, jagged edges as they can damage your tongue. The perfect plastic tongue cleaner should have adequate thickness, a smooth edge, and enough pliability to form around any tongue size.
Shameless plug: Our Ultimate Tongue Cleaner hits on all our requirements for tongue scrapers: smooth glide across your tongue, flexible enough to mould to any tongue shape, and rigid enough to effectively remove tongue debris in a few passes.
Shaver-Shaped With Handle
This type of tongue cleaner resembles a shaver with a handle and a straight or curved head.
Pros: This variety of tongue scraper is fairly compact and take up the same amount of toiletry bag space as a standard razor. The shape of this scraper allows you to operate it with only one hand.
Cons: Due to the narrow width of such scrapers, many more passes of the scraper are required to clean your tongue. The propensity to trigger a gag reflex is also at play as well as the danger of choking because of the way the shaver-shaped scraper is inserted into your oral cavity.
Tongue Brushes
Probably the least efficient and sanitary of the three options, tongue brushes typically consist of a brush of toothbrush-like bristles attached to a handle.
Pros: Tongue brushes are about the size of a toothbrush with a wider head and are about as portable. You can typically store a tongue brush in the same manner as a toothbrush when traveling.
Cons: Tongue brushes take many more swipes than a traditional tongue scraper and may irritate your tongue and taste buds after continued use due to their rough surface. Tongue brushes also are more difficult to clean as the bristles provide a convenient hiding place for the removed bacteria and food particles to accumulate in.
When It Comes to Tongue Scrapers, You Do You!
Everyone approaches their tongue cleaning and oral hygiene routines in a different way and there is no one-size-fits all product that will work for all people. Make sure to try many disparate types of tongue scrapers and stick with the one that works best for you. Nothing is more important to building a lasting hygiene routine than finding the optimal product for YOU!
