A tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper or tongue brush) is an oral hygiene device designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. The bacteria and fungi that grow on the tongue are related to many common oral care and general health problems[citation needed]. In addition, decaying bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds on the rear of the tongue;[1] these molecules account for 80 to 90 percent of all cases of halitosis (bad breath).[2]
The top surface of the tongue can be cleaned using a tongue cleaner, a tongue brush/scraper or a toothbrush. However, toothbrushes are not effective for this purpose because they are designed for brushing the teeth, which have a solid structure unlike the spongy tissue of the tongue.[citation needed] Ergonomic tongue cleaners are shaped in accordance with the anatomy of the tongue, and are optimized to lift and trap the plaque coating and effectively clean the surface of the tongue. There are many different types of tongue cleaners; they are made from plastic, metal or other materials. Their effectiveness varies widely depending on the shape, dimensions, configuration and quality of the contact surfaces and materials used.
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