Bad breath: Could a tongue scraper help?

Tongue scrapers, which are available in most drugstores in various shapes and sizes, have been touted as a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath (halitosis). You put the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue and bring it forward along your tongue, repeating as often as needed.

Research on the effectiveness of tongue scrapers is limited. What's been published so far describes tongue scraping as only slightly more effective for bad breath than simply brushing the tongue with a toothbrush. And even then, the effect doesn't last long.

Although there's no harm in trying a tongue scraper to treat bad breath, it's probably more effective to practice good dental hygiene overall:

• Brush your teeth and tongue after you eat.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth, a cause of bad breath.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.

If bad breath persists, consult your dentist. He or she can identify the cause and help develop a treatment plan.