If you're concerned about bad breath odors or are just being conscientious about your oral health, you may be wondering about some basics of a tongue scraper.  How do they work, and what do you look for in them?

While it's true that many brands and types look similar, there are some basics of a tongue scraper that you might want to consider before purchasing.  The first is that you are right to be thinking of a tongue scraper for your bad breath.  It's thought that some 85% of bad breath odors originate on the tongue.  You can of course brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth, and this does work to some extent, but often there are parts of your tongue that you miss with a toothbrush, and some bacteria and other elements that remain on the tongue after brushing.  This is part of the basics of a tongue scraper; this little instrument is designed specifically for cleaning the tongue, unlike a toothbrush which is not.

Another part of the basics of a tongue scraper is its size and width.  It should be wide enough so that you can cover your entire tongue with one pass.  Some are just not wide enough and require scrape after scrape, and this can be tedious and cause you to gag.  You want one that is of adequate size and width.

It's a good idea to replace the head of your tongue scraper every three months or so, just like you replace your toothbrush head.  So, it's a good idea to get one with a removable and replaceable head.  Why buy a whole new tongue scraper when you can just purchase the scraping part?  When considering the basics of a tongue scraper, be sure to get one that's not going to need to be replaced constantly but that has a removable head.

Of course, considering the basics of a tongue scraper and its features will do you no good if you don't use it.  Just like floss or mouthwash, it should be part of your regular oral hygiene routine.  Rarely does a tongue scraper set off your gag reflex, so don't let fear of that stop you from making use of it on a regular basis.  And be sure you rinse it off with hot water after every use and store it in a clean and dry place.

Learn more about tongue brushing here.