Several studies have demonstrated that reducing
bacteria on the dorsum of the tongue will dimin-
Halitosis: an overview of epidemiology, etiology and clinical management
470 Braz Oral Res. 2011 Sep-Oct;25(5):466-71
ish halitosis. A study concluded that tongue cleaning
was one of the most important approaches for
halitosis.29 A systematic review30 demonstrated the
potential of tongue cleaning, however the evidence
was not convincing. Also, a Cochrane systematic review31
demonstrated that there is a little superiority
of tongue scrapers as compared to brushing in reducing
halitosis. Therefore, tongue cleansing is one
of the components and should never be a sole treatment
for halitosis.