Picture this: Your oral health routine is (almost) flawless. You floss and brush twice a day, use a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s gentle on your gums, swish with mouthwash, and see your dentist for regular checkups. You even change out your toothbrush every three months. But somehow, you still seem to always have bad breath. If you want to go that extra mile for your mouth, you may consider using a tongue scraper.

Tongue scraping is exactly what it sounds like—using a tool (either made of plastic, stainless steel, or copper) to gently scrape the surface of your tongue. Why scrape the tongue? “Many bacteria are attached to the surface of the tongue,” says Frank A. Scannapieco, DMD, PhD, chair of oral biology at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “Cleaning the tongue [with a tongue scraper] can reduce the numbers of microbes in the mouth,” he adds.

This scraping motion can help keep bad bacteria that cause stinky breath at bay, he says. But that’s not all. Using a tongue scraper may also improve your sense of taste, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And because it helps optimize your oral health, tongue scraping may be beneficial to your overall health, too. By minimizing the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth, you reduce your risk of gum inflammation and cavities, which, left unchecked, can lead to medical problems including heart disease, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Ready to start scraping? Keep reading to learn how to use a tongue scraper correctly (as well as common mistakes to avoid) to get the biggest benefits for your mouth.

Keep in mind: Your tongue scraper should never take the place of brushing and flossing. Scraping only reduces some bacteria on your tongue.  That means you still need to brush to physically remove the plaque and food from your teeth. If you want to use a tongue scraper, think of it as an additional tool in your oral hygiene routine.

How to properly use a tongue scraper

Tongue scraping may seem pretty straightforward, but there is a way to do it that maximizes the benefits (more on this later). Want to tongue scrape like a pro? Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it with top-notch technique, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

1. 1.
   Stick your tongue out.
2. 2.
   Starting at the back of your tongue, gently run the scraper across the entire surface of your tongue (scraping toward the front).
3. 3.
   Apply light pressure (it should not hurt or feel uncomfortable in any way).
4. 4.
   Repeat once or twice, rinsing the scraper in warm water after each pass.
5. 5.
   Once you’re done, swish your mouth out with water.

Ideally, you’ll want to do this twice a day to get the most benefits (once in the morning and once at night when you brush and floss). But whether you scrape before or after you brush is a matter of preference. “I don’t think it would make a big difference one way or another,” Dr. Scannapieco says.

Mistakes to avoid when using a tongue scraper

If you don’t use your tongue scraper correctly, it won’t be as effective (read: it won’t remove as many bad bacteria that cause stinky breath, tooth decay, and gum problems). You may also accidentally scratch your tongue with improper scraping methods (ouch). That said, here are some common mistakes:

1. Pushing down too hard

Your tongue is a sensitive organ, so when you scrape it too vigorously, you can cause irritation, Dr. Scannapieco says. You might even do damage to the papillae—i.e., the little bumps on your tongue that hold your taste buds.

As a general rule, less (pressure) is more. “If [tongue scraping] is uncomfortable, you are probably using too much force,” Dr. Scannapieco says.

2. Starting too far back on your tongue

This can trigger your gag reflex, Dr. Scannapieco says. While that’s not harmful, per se, feeling like you’re going to throw up or gag is not always pleasant. If you start associating this gagging feeling with tongue scraping, you may be less likely to do it, and miss out on the potential oral health benefits.

3. You’re not cleaning it after every use

If you don’t keep your tongue scraper clean, bacteria and food debris can build up on it. In other words, you’ll just be adding more microbes to your mouth with each use. “Cleansing the scraper after use (by rinsing with hot water) will remove the bulk of microorganisms attached,” says Dr. Scannapieco. Though it won’t sterilize the device, he adds.

If you use the disposal kind of tongue scraper, this won’t be an issue (as long as you toss it after each use). But keep in mind, disposable scrapers are likely less cost-effective (because you’ll have to buy new ones more often).

When to see a dentist about bad breath

A case of bad breath here or there is not usually cause for concern. In fact, incorporating a tongue scraper into your daily routine may help fresh breath. But if your breath is consistently off (a condition called halitosis) or it comes with other symptoms like tooth, gum, or jaw pain, swelling, or bleeding, make an appointment to see your dentist. They can make sure you don’t have an infection and can offer treatment options for your bad breath, like prescription mouthwash or toothpaste.

—reviewed by Jennifer Gilbert, MD, MPH