When it comes to keeping your child’s smile healthy, you probably know the basics: brushing, flossing, regular dental checkups. But there’s one part of the mouth that often gets overlooked — the tongue!
We get questions from parents about tongue scraping. You may have seen those little tools online or in the oral care aisle and wondered, “Is this something my child should be doing?
What Is Tongue Scraping?
Tongue scraping is gently scraping the surface of the tongue to remove leftover food and bacteria that can build up throughout the day. It’s a super quick step that can be added to your child’s routine — kind of like brushing, but just for the tongue.
So… Do Kids Really Need to Scrape Their Tongues?
Not every child needs to scrape their tongue, but it can be helpful for some — especially if they:
- Struggle with bad breath
- Tend to get a white coating on their tongue
- Are old enough to take a little more ownership of their brushing routine
Here are a few benefits parents have noticed:
🟢 Fresher breath – Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue, not the teeth.
🟢 Better taste – A cleaner tongue can help improve taste (which might just help picky eaters try something new!)
🟢 Healthier mouths – Less bacteria = a happier smile.
Is Tongue Scraping Safe for Kids?
Yes — as long as it’s done gently and with the right tool. For most kids, we recommend starting around age 5 or 6, when they’re able to understand and follow instructions.
Look for child-sized tongue scrapers made of soft plastic. Or, for younger children, just using their toothbrush to brush the tongue is a good alternative.
Important: Tongue scraping should never hurt. If it does, it’s either being done too hard or the tool isn’t right.
How Do I Teach My Child to Do It?
- Let them watch you – Kids learn best by watching, so scrape your own tongue first.
- Make it fun – Kids love adding “grown-up” steps to their routine. Make it a game or let them pick their scraper color.
- Be gentle – No pressure needed. Just a light glide from back to front.
- Rinse well – After scraping, rinse both the mouth and the scraper.
