Prague Med. Rep. 2026, 127, 34-38
Influence of Copper Tongue Scraper and Toothbrush on Morning Halitosis in Dentistry Students: A Brief Clinical Study
, Marcelo Coelho Goiato, Daniela Micheline dos Santos, Stefan Fiuza de Carvalho Dekon
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Araçatuba Dental School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
Received May 20, 2025
Accepted February 26, 2026
The objective was to evaluate the influence of two tongue cleaning methods (copper tongue scraper and toothbrush) on morning halitosis in dental students. Thirteen dental students were included. After training, the first participant took the halimeter home and used it for 6 days. On the first three days, halitosis was measured immediately after the participant woke up in the morning. The night before each of these first three days, before going to sleep, the participant cleaned their mouth with dental floss and a soft-bristled toothbrush. The individual’s same soft-bristled toothbrush was also used to brush his tongue. Only one halitosis measurement was taken per day and the value was recorded each day (toothbrush group). On the fourth, fifth and sixth day, the same process was carried out, but the night before measuring halitosis, a copper tongue scraper was used to clean the participants’ tongue. Only one halitosis measurement was taken per day and the value was recorded each day (tongue scraper group). Subsequently, for each participant, the highest halitosis value of the first three days (toothbrush group) was chosen, as well as the highest halitosis value of the last three days (tongue scraper group). The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the two groups (P<0.05). The halitosis value (median) in the toothbrush group was significantly higher than that in the tongue scraper group. Only the tongue scraper group showed a clinically acceptable halitosis value (imperceptible odour). Therefore, the copper tongue scraper is more recommended for cleaning the tongue.
Keywords
Halitosis, Bad breath, Tongue, Copper tongue scraper, Toothbrush, Dental student, Sulfur compounds, Toothbrushing.
References
Copyright
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
