Does scraping your tongue help with bad breath?

Question: My buddy claims that using a tongue scraper she recently purchased has significantly improved the quality of her breath. Is tongue scraping effective? 

Answer. It is true that using a tool to scrape the tongue can help someone with chronic foul breath, called halitosis. The reason is because a lot of us accumulate a layer of germs, dead skin cells, and food particles on our tongues, which gives them a white or yellowish color. This occurs when food accumulates on the tongue's papillae, which are microscopic bumps that "grab" food and assist in moving it up the throat. Once bacteria settle in, the accumulation becomes odorous. Tongue scrapers are little instruments made of plastic, silicone, or stainless steel that are available in pharmacies and online. When using one, tongue accumulation is removed with a straightforward raking motion. A spoon might also work well. However, avoid scraping too forcefully to avoid overdoing it and scratching your tongue. While tongue scraping is not required, it can make someone's breath seem fresher if done on a regular basis. Most individuals can prevent bad breath with oral care, which includes using mouthwash on a regular basis and brushing twice a day.

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