Why is it important to clean your tongue?

Cleaning your tongue is important because it helps remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that can accumulate on its surface. These substances can lead to bad breath as well as negatively impact oral health. Regular tongue cleaning can lead to fresher breath, reduced risk of oral infections, and an overall cleaner mouth.

What tools can I use to clean my tongue effectively?

There are several tools you can use to clean your tongue effectively, including a tongue scraper, toothbrush, or specialised tongue-cleaning brushes. A tongue scraper is specifically designed for this purpose and can efficiently remove buildup from your tongue's surface. A toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used by gently brushing your tongue from back to front.

How often should I clean my tongue?

It is generally recommended to clean your tongue at least once a day as part of your regular oral hygiene routine. While brushing your teeth, take a moment to clean your tongue as well, preferably in the morning to start your day with a fresh mouth. Consistency is key to maintaining both good oral health and fresh breath.

Can tongue cleaning help with bad breath?

Yes, tongue cleaning can significantly help with bad breath. Since a large amount of the bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath reside on the tongue, removing them can effectively reduce unpleasant odours. Incorporating tongue cleaning in to your daily routine, along with brushing and flossing, can lead to noticeably fresher breath.

How To Clean Your Tongue: Methods For Fresh Breath And Oral Health | Oral-B UK

BAD BREATH

How To Clean Your Tongue: Methods For Fresh Breath And Oral Health

Last updated 06/25

This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years

Table Of Contents

Key Takeaways

Your tongue can harbour bacteria, food particles, and dead cells that lead to bad breath and oral health issues.
Cleaning your tongue regularly helps reduce odour, improve taste, and support a healthier mouth.
Common tools for tongue cleaning include tongue scrapers, toothbrushes, and mouth rinses.
It’s best to clean your tongue daily, ideally as part of your normal oral hygiene routine.
Practising good tongue hygiene is simple and only takes a few seconds each day.

The Importance of a Clean Tongue

Your tongue is like a sponge that collects bacteria, food debris, and dead cells throughout the day. That buildup is often responsible for bad breath (also known as halitosis) and can even impact your sense of taste. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the surface of the tongue provides a perfect home for bacteria, especially toward the back, where it’s less likely to be disturbed by chewing or saliva.

Regular tongue cleaning helps to reduce the number of odour-causing bacteria and prevents bad breath. It can also improve your sense of taste. Cleaning your tongue regularly contributes to your overall oral hygiene. By reducing the total amount of bacteria in the mouth, it complements brushing and flossing in the management of plaque and gum health.

Image of a man covering up his mouth with both hands

Signs Your Tongue Needs Cleaning

If you’re not in the habit of cleaning your tongue, your body might be giving you clues that it's time to start. These signs don’t always mean something serious, but they often point to poor tongue hygiene. So, look out for signs like these:

✘ Bad breath that doesn’t go away even after brushing

✘ A white or yellow coating on the tongue

✘ A strange or metallic taste in your mouth

Cleaning Tools To Use

There are several simple tools you can use to keep your tongue clean. Here’s an overview of each:

1. Tongue Scraper

A tongue scraper is a thin, flexible tool made of plastic or metal, shaped to glide across the surface of the tongue. It’s widely recommended by dental professionals, including the Cleveland Clinic, for its effectiveness.

Pros: Very effective at removing debris, easy to use

Cons: May cause gagging until you get used to it

How to use it:

Stick your tongue out
Gently place the scraper toward the back of your tongue
Pull it forward slowly, applying light pressure
Rinse the scraper and repeat 2–3 times
Wash it thoroughly after each use

2. Toothbrush

Using your toothbrush is a simple, accessible option, especially if you’re not ready to invest in a scraper.

Pros: Convenient and cost-free

Cons: Not as effective as a scraper and may spread bacteria if not rinsed well

How to use it:

After brushing your teeth, use the bristles to gently scrub the top of your tongue
Focus on the center and back, where bacteria tend to collect
Rinse your mouth and toothbrush after you’re done

3. Tongue Brush

These are special brushes designed just for the tongue. They usually have shorter bristles or a specific pattern to help lift debris.

Pros: More effective than a regular toothbrush for tongue cleaning

Cons: Another tool to buy and clean regularly

How to use it: The same as your toothbrush, but with an improved texture for better cleaning.

4. Mouthwash

While not a physical cleaning method, antimicrobial mouthwashes can help kill bacteria on the tongue. They’re best used after scraping or brushing. Look for alcohol-free rinses with antibacterial ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). While your dentist may recommend a rinse with chlorhexidine for specific short-term situations, it is typically used under professional guidance due to potential side effects like tooth staining.

Pros: Helps reach areas your scraper or brush may miss

Cons: Doesn’t remove physical buildup; best used with another method

How-to guide showing three steps to tongue scraping

Step-by-Step: The Right Way To Clean Your Tongue

Choose your tool: scraper, toothbrush, or tongue brush; whatever works for you
Stick out your tongue: make sure you have a clear view and steady grip
Start at the back: this is where most bacteria live, so get in there
Apply gentle pressure: don’t press too hard; you shouldn’t feel pain
Move forward: sweep or brush from back to front in smooth motions
Rinse thoroughly: clean both your mouth and your tool
Follow with mouthwash: this is optional, but can help kill leftover bacteria and freshen breath

How Often Should You Clean Your Tongue?

Experts recommend cleaning your tongue at least once per day, ideally during your morning or evening brushing routine. If you suffer from chronic bad breath or dry mouth, doing it twice a day may be more effective.

It’s suggested that consistent daily tongue cleaning can help improve breath and support healthier gums. And when done gently, daily tongue cleaning is safe for most people to do every day. However, avoid scraping too hard (it can irritate or damage your tongue). Of course, don’t use broken or sharp tools or ignore any signs of tongue irritation or pain. If you notice persistent soreness, redness, or lesions on your tongue, talk to your dentist, dental hygienist, or healthcare provider.

Can Cleaning Your Tongue Cure Bad Breath?

Cleaning your tongue can significantly reduce bad breath caused by bacterial buildup. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 90% of halitosis cases originate in the mouth, and the tongue is often the biggest contributor. Of course, if your bad breath persists even with good tongue hygiene, it could be caused by other issues such as dry mouth, gum disease, or digestive problems. A dental check-up can help identify the root cause and come up with a solution.

Tips To Keep Your Tongue And Mouth Healthy

✔ Stay hydrated to reduce dry mouth

✔ Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol, both of which dry out your mouth

✔ Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva

✔ Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables because they naturally clean the tongue

✔ Visit your dentist or dental hygienist every six months for checkups

Summary

Cleaning your tongue is a quick and easy step that can greatly improve your oral health and freshen your breath. The tongue’s surface collects bacteria, food particles, and dead cells, especially near the back. If not cleaned regularly, this buildup can lead to bad breath and even affect your sense of taste.

Tools like tongue scrapers, toothbrushes, and antimicrobial mouthwashes can help keep your tongue clean and healthy. Ideally, you should clean your tongue at least once a day as part of your oral care routine. Doing so helps support your overall dental hygiene. If you’ve been skipping this simple step, now’s the time to add it to your routine—it only takes a few seconds, and your mouth (and breath) will thank you for it.

Tongue: Maintaining Oral Health with Proper Cleaning

Your tongue is responsible for a number of actions including eating and speaking. However, plaque and food particles can get trapped on the tongue’s surface which may lead to bad breath, affect gum health, and other problems.

Complete your brushing routine with a little attention reserved for tongue cleaning:

Brush 2X/day with an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush: An electric toothbrush removes more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush to help maintain a healthy mouth. For a gentle yet thorough clean suitable for oral soft tissues, including the tongue, select the Sensitive or Tongue Clean mode featured on many Oral-B iO models to help you comfortably brush away odour-causing food particles and plaque from your tongue.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking water daily can help support saliva flow, which plays a role in cleansing the mouth by minimizing buildup.
Maintain a Well-Balanced Diet: Certain foods, such as those high in sugars and acids, leave your mouth more prone to substances that affect your smile. Consistent hydration, along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help promote a cleaner oral environment.

When it comes to your oral hygiene, it’s important not to forget about the tongue. Cleaning your tongue daily can help reduce bad breath and plaque buildup as part of a complete oral care routine.

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FAQs

Cleaning your tongue is important because it helps remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that can accumulate on its surface. These substances can lead to bad breath as well as negatively impact oral health. Regular tongue cleaning can lead to fresher breath, reduced risk of oral infections, and an overall cleaner mouth.
There are several tools you can use to clean your tongue effectively, including a tongue scraper, toothbrush, or specialised tongue-cleaning brushes. A tongue scraper is specifically designed for this purpose and can efficiently remove buildup from your tongue's surface. A toothbrush with soft bristles can also be used by gently brushing your tongue from back to front.
It is generally recommended to clean your tongue at least once a day as part of your regular oral hygiene routine. While brushing your teeth, take a moment to clean your tongue as well, preferably in the morning to start your day with a fresh mouth. Consistency is key to maintaining both good oral health and fresh breath.
Yes, tongue cleaning can significantly help with bad breath. Since a large amount of the bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath reside on the tongue, removing them can effectively reduce unpleasant odours. Incorporating tongue cleaning into your daily routine, along with brushing and flossing, can lead to noticeably fresher breath.

Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3633265/
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/tongue-scrapers
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tongue-scraping
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)61845-6/fulltext
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16914-oral-hygiene
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16914-oral-hygiene
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22845-tongue
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17654-white-tongue
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-tongue
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health/brushing-your-tongue
Adam R. (2020). Introducing the Oral-B iO electric toothbrush: next generation oscillating-rotating technology. International Dental Journal, 70 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S1–S6. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12570
Cheng, R., et al. (2014). Breath and plaque prevention with cetylpyridinium chloride rinses: clinical meta-analysis. Journal of Dental Research, 93, 573. https://iadr.abstractarchives.com/abstract/43am-185497/breath-and-plaque-prevention-with-cetylpyridinium-chloride-rinses-clinical-meta-analysis
Grender, J., et al. (2022). A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing a Novel Electric Toothbrush With an Extra Gentle Brush Head to a Manual Toothbrush for Plaque and Gingivitis Reduction. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995), 43(3), f20–f29. Link to: https://www.compendiumlive.com/2022/oscillating-rotating-toothbrush-technology-to-meet-individual-patient-needs/a-12-week-randomized-controlled-trial-comparing-a-novel-electric-toothbrush-with-an-extra-gentle-brush-head-to-a-manual-toothbrush-for-plaque-and-gingivitis-reduction/
Zsiska, M., et al. (2021). Investigation of oral malodor prevention by dentifrices as measured by VSC reduction. Journal of breath research, 15(3), 10.1088/1752-7163/abf209. https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/abf209

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