It relies on replaceable batteries, which may not be as convenient or eco-friendly as rechargeable options. The American Dental Association does not equate tongue cleaning with the reduction of bad breath, but it does conclude that cleaning your tongue can contribute to a fresher-feeling mouth that you might enjoy. Reduces plaque According to Dr. Schlenoff, if used properly, both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective. He says it's really a matter of personal preference. While they can both do a good job cleaning your teeth, an electric toothbrush comes with smart technology like pressure sensors, facial recognition, and brushing timers. If those features are appealing to you, you may prefer an electric toothbrush. Almas K, et al. (2005). The effect of tongue scraper on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in patients with caries and periodontal disease [Abstract]. If you are a clinically high risk patient I would advise using an electric toothbrush. I go into more detail about that in this post.

The large handle can make the whole head feel bulky, which can take some getting used to. It could be uncomfortable for some people, such as those with smaller mouths or a pronounced gag reflex. These bacteria can transform dental plaque into tartar. 2 Both plaque and tartar can cause gum problems in addition to other serious health problems including gum disease (also known as gingivitis) and in more serious cases periodontitis. With every pass the tips of the bristles are worn down. When they are no longer in optimum condition they are not as good at removing plaque.The absence of a battery life indicator or built-in sensor, make it challenging to monitor the remaining battery life. I have tested these brushes — I didn’t have any problems when using the brush and found it comfortable to hold. We also tested these toothbrushes but ultimately decided not to include them in our list above. They fell short in our test when it came to technology, features, and functionality: This is because over this time the toothbrush bristles become damaged and are not as effective. There is also a build up of bacteria so using a brush for any longer becomes unhygienic. Length of bristles – which also affects hardness of the toothbrush. Some brushes will have bristles of different lengths (or heights).

Some, however, may not like the feeling of stainless steel on their tongue and find a plastic tongue scraper more comfortable to use. “The stainless steel tongue scrapers are best since they can be cleaned and disinfected,” says Joseph Salim, DMD, dentist at Sutton Place Dental Associates in New York. “They also last longer than their plastic counterparts.” Dr. Salim stresses that the technique used is just as important as the kind of tongue scraper used. This is our selection for the best bamboo toothbrush, and it is also one of the most environmentally friendly brushes available. Some brands actively promote this rounding of the bristles as a feature of their brush. It is typically the cheaper brushes that do not go through this blunting process. I have selected it as one of the best manual toothbrushes in the UK because it is British made and is one of the most eco-friendly toothbrushes available.

Handle: We looked into the size of the handle and the material to determine how comfortable it would be to hold. While most people aren’t tongue scraping for very long, without a proper grasp of the handle it can be challenging to target different areas on the tongue. The bristles are arranged in multiple levels and at a few different angles. This gives a good clean between the teeth when using the right brushing technique. The head is fairly large because of the long bristles, and this may be uncomfortable for some people to use.