Honestly, I wouldn’t stress too much about it.
My kid was the same way, and we just stuck with brushing. Their breath is fine and the dentist hasn’t complained. Maybe it’s just not worth the battle right now.“My son couldn’t handle it at all—kept gagging and just refused after a few tries.”
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually noticed a difference when my daughter started using a tongue scraper. She hated it at first—lots of drama and gagging—but after a week or two she got used to it. Her breath was noticeably better, and honestly, those scrapers are super cheap. For us, it was worth sticking with it a bit longer, even if the dentist wasn’t fussed. Maybe some kids just need more time to adjust?
I hear you on the breath thing, but honestly, I tried a tongue scraper for a while and didn’t notice much difference compared to just brushing my tongue with my toothbrush. Maybe I’m just not as sensitive to the changes, or maybe it’s a kid vs. adult thing? I get that scrapers are cheap, but for me, it felt like one more step and one more thing to buy. I guess I’m always wondering if these little add-ons are actually worth it or just clever marketing...
I totally get what you mean about it feeling like just another thing to buy. I was super skeptical too, but I actually noticed my mouth felt less “gunky” in the mornings after using a scraper. Maybe it’s just in my head, but it did help with my morning breath anxiety a bit. Still, I sometimes skip it if I’m in a rush... not sure it’s a total game-changer, but for me, it’s a little extra comfort.
I totally relate to that “is this really necessary?” feeling. Tried a tongue scraper a few years back after my hygienist suggested it—wasn’t expecting much, but I did notice less of that weird morning taste. It’s not a miracle, but it does make things feel fresher sometimes. Some days I forget or just skip it, especially if I’m tired. Doesn’t seem to hurt, though, and if it eases your mind about breath, why not?
