'Death to bad breath': Today only, score Amazon's No. 1 bestselling tongue scraper for as little as $4 a pop

Let's face it: We all get bad breath occasionally, especially in the morning. It's only human to have less-than-fresh breath after waking, but there's a dentist-approved remedy that doesn't involve mouthwash or an aggressively minty toothpaste: a tongue scraper. We spoke with a dentist and learned why regular tongue scraping is just as important to oral care as brushing your teeth. And right now, a two-pack of Amazon's No. 1 bestselling version — the stainless steel MasterMedi Tongue Scraper — is down to $8. That's just $4 apiece!

Amazon

MasterMedi Tongue Scraper, 2-Pack

$10

Trying to improve bad breath? A tongue scraper is a good bet, dentists say. And over 85,000 five-star fans say this is the brand to pick. You'll get one for you and one for your partner (hint, hint).

$10 at Amazon

Why is this a good deal?

These breath savers go on sale fairly frequently, but today's discount — nearly 50% off! — disappears tonight! Treat yourself and your partner to better breath with this $8 two-pack deal, or keep the extra one in your purse. A single scraper is also on sale today for $6.

Why do I need this?

We spoke with Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, and owner of BOCA Orthodontic & Whitening Studio outside St. Louis, who explained that there are many causes of bad breath, but the main culprit: Bacteria found on the back of your tongue.

"Bacteria consume the food particles left in our mouths and excrete waste in the form of volatile sulfur compounds," Fraundorf said. "These compounds are the actual odor-emitting particles that you smell as 'bad breath.' Morning breath occurs due to a buildup of bacteria in the mouth overnight."

Poor oral hygiene and dry mouth also contribute to bad breath, she added, so it's important to use a tool that ensures that your mouth is as clean as possible — and that's where the tongue scraper comes into play. A tongue scraper "is an absolutely essential tool to improving [bad breath] and quite possibly the most important and effective."

Fraundorf compared the tongue to a sponge-like mushroom: "Food particles, bacteria, and fungus get trapped in between and under this meadow" of mushrooms, she said. "Bad bacteria thrive in these anaerobic areas, making it a major source of halitosis (bad breath)."

She added that a tongue scraper works by "removing the thick biofilm on the bumpy surface of the tongue." By scraping this film off, nutrients from your healthy saliva get into the biome underneath.

"Tongue scraping has been found to promote the right balance of good bacteria in your mouth, improve bad breath, enhance taste, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and lessen cavities," Fraundorf added.

"Researchers have found that tongue scraper removed 30% more volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue than a toothbrush," she said. "So although cleaning your tongue with a toothbrush is better than not cleaning at all, using a tongue scraper has been determined to be significantly more effective."

Fraundorf recommends using a tongue scraper one to two times a day — so, nearly as often as you would brush your teeth. She added, though, that once your microbiome is healthy, "you can decrease to two to three times a week."

Also, contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait until it's time to brush your teeth to pull out your tongue scraper. "Tongue scraping can be done whenever you want, not necessarily before brushing or after," she said. " It can be a stand-alone activity."

One rule: Your tongue must be wet before you begin scraping. "If you wake up and your mouth is really dry from mouth breathing at night, be sure to drink some water to moisten your mouth prior to tongue scraping," Fraundorf said.

Amazon

MasterMedi Tongue Scraper, 2-Pack

$10

This bestselling stainless steel tongue scraper is more effective than plastic versions, fans say. Give the second one to your partner, or keep it in your purse for all-day freshness. Travel cases included!

$10 at Amazon

What reviewers say

This stainless steel scraper has an incredible 85,000 five-star fans. Several reviewers said they noticed their bad breath diminished or completely went away — in some cases, after just one use. "The thick, white, 'mossy' layer that lived on the back of my tongue is gone," one shopper wrote. "There is no odor on my breath. Like, none!"

"Death to bad breath," said another. "I’ve never used a tongue scraper before, but lately I felt like toothpaste and mouthwash combo just wasn’t cuttin’ it. Bought these bad boys for me and my fiancé and 10/10. It’s super easy to clean and makes me feel clean. I also like that it comes with two so we both were able to give it a go."

Another shopper who's tried a few different tongue scrapers said this one was the best of the bunch. "I have been using this tongue scraper for almost two weeks and it's the best tongue scraper I've ever bought. I used to use Dentek, but I feel like the stainless steel is just better and more hygienic than those plastic tongue scrapers. Overall, I feel like I get a better clean with this brand."

"Be gentle, but you can also get quite a bit of build-up that accumulates on the tongue with a few passes," advised a final reviewer. "It can make your tongue a little sensitive if you are not gentle, but otherwise, nothing but good to say about it."

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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