Can tongue scraping improve bad breath?

Ask the doctors

Q.My friend is raving about a tool she bought to scrape her tongue, saying it makes her breath much fresher. Does tongue scraping work?

A. For someone with persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis, using a tool to scrape the tongue can indeed make a difference. Here's why: many of us build up a white or yellowish coating on our tongues consisting of food debris, bacteria, and dead skin cells. This happens when tiny bumps on the tongue called papillae — which "grab" food and help move it to the throat — trap this buildup, which develops a bad smell after bacteria settle in.

Sold in drugstores and online, tongue scrapers are small tools made of stainless steel, silicone, or plastic. Using one involves a simple raking motion to remove tongue buildup. You could also use a spoon. Don't scrape too aggressively, though, or you could overdo and scratch your tongue. Done regularly, tongue scraping can help a person's breath feel fresher — but it's not necessary. Oral care that includes twice-daily toothbrushing and regular mouthwash use will stave off bad breath for most people.