Copper vs Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper: Which Is Better? (Australia 2026)

If you've decided to add a tongue scraper to your routine, the next question is almost always the same: copper or stainless steel? They're the two materials serious tongue-scraper users swear by, and both have devoted followings — copper for its long Ayurvedic tradition, stainless steel for its durability and easy care.

We sell and use both kinds of tools, so this isn't a sales pitch for one material. Below we break down the real differences — how each performs on hygiene, taste, longevity, sustainability and cost — so you can choose the scraper you'll actually keep using. If you're brand new to this, you may also want our step-by-step guide on how to use a tongue scraper.

The quick answer

For most people, a medical-grade stainless steel tongue scraper is the easier, more hygienic choice: it's non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, tasteless, and lasts for years with almost no maintenance. It's also the material most dental experts point to for exactly those reasons.

Copper is a lovely traditional option with naturally antimicrobial properties, and many people genuinely prefer it — but it needs a little more care (hand-washing, drying, the occasional polish) and can develop a faint metallic taste as it ages. Choose copper if you value the Ayurvedic tradition and don't mind the upkeep; choose stainless steel if you want a fuss-free tool you can sanitise and forget about.

What are tongue scrapers made from?

Walk down any oral-care aisle in Australia and you'll find three broad categories:

• Plastic — the cheapest option ($3–$6), usually a flexible loop or a bristled/ridged head. Fine to start with, but they flex, wear out, and end up in landfill.
• Copper — a curved bar of solid copper, rooted in the Ayurvedic practice of jihwa prakshalana. Naturally antimicrobial but reactive (it tarnishes).
• Stainless steel — a curved bar of surgical- or medical-grade steel. Rigid, non-reactive, and built to last. This is the category the Davids Professional Tongue Scraper sits in.

Copper and stainless steel are both a clear step up from plastic in feel and longevity. The interesting comparison is between the two of them.

Copper tongue scrapers: the traditional choice

Copper has been used for tongue cleaning for centuries, and it has one genuinely interesting property: it's naturally antimicrobial. Copper surfaces are known to be inhospitable to many bacteria (the so-called oligodynamic effect), which is part of why the material has such a loyal following.

Pros

• Naturally antimicrobial surface
• Long Ayurvedic tradition — appealing if you like time-tested, natural tools
• Warmer, softer feel in the hand than steel
• Fully recyclable metal

Cons

• Reactive: copper tarnishes and develops a patina over time, so it needs occasional polishing to stay bright
• More care required: hand-wash and dry after each use; it's generally not dishwasher-safe, as harsh detergents and heat accelerate oxidation
• Taste: as it oxidises, copper can impart a faint metallic taste
• Softer metal, so edges can wear or nick with heavy use

Copper suits someone who enjoys a small daily ritual and doesn't mind a bit of maintenance. If that's you, it's a beautiful, effective tool.

Stainless steel tongue scrapers: the low-maintenance workhorse

Stainless steel took over as the modern default for good reasons. It's non-porous and non-reactive, so it doesn't tarnish, doesn't hold onto residue, and doesn't change the taste of your mouth. Higher grades — surgical or medical-grade stainless steel — are especially corrosion-resistant and easy to sanitise.

Pros

• Extremely durable — a good steel scraper can last many years
• Hygienic and easy to clean — rinse it, or run it through the dishwasher
• No metallic taste — non-reactive steel stays neutral
• Tarnish-free — no polishing, no patina, no upkeep
• Plastic-free and recyclable — one tool instead of a stream of disposables

Cons

• A quality steel scraper costs more up front than a plastic one (though it replaces dozens of them)
• Cooler, firmer feel than copper — a matter of preference

This is the material most dentists and oral-care writers tend to recommend. As Health magazine's 2026 dentist-reviewed roundup put it, stainless steel is "one of the materials most experts recommend… because it's durable, easy to sanitise."

Copper vs stainless steel: side by side

What about plastic scrapers?

Plastic tongue scrapers are cheap and everywhere, and there's nothing wrong with using one to try the habit. But they're a false economy: they flex (which makes them less effective at lifting coating), they wear out, and a plastic tool you replace every few months adds up — in dollars and in landfill. If you already know you're going to tongue-scrape regularly, a single metal scraper is the better buy.

Our top picks in Australia

Davids Professional Tongue Scraper — Best overall

Our pick for most people. The Davids Professional Tongue Scraper is made from 100% medical-grade stainless steel, with smooth, rounded edges that glide across the tongue without scratching, and an ergonomic loop designed for easy one-handed use. It's dishwasher-safe, tarnish-free and built to last for years — a genuine plastic-free upgrade rather than a scraper you'll keep rebuying. Made in the USA and packaged in FSC-certified materials.

• Material: Medical-grade stainless steel
• Care: Rinse or dishwasher; no polishing ever
• Feel: Smooth rounded edges, one-handed ergonomic grip
• Price: $34.95

Shop the Davids Professional Tongue Scraper →

Budget stainless steel (e.g. Dr Tung's) — Best value

If you want to try steel at the lowest price, entry-level stainless scrapers like Dr Tung's are widely stocked in Australian supermarkets and pharmacies for around $10. They do the job. You're trading the finer finish, medical-grade material, ergonomic grip and packaging of a premium tool for a lower price point.

Copper (e.g. Dr Tung's copper, Ayurvedic scrapers) — Best traditional option

For the copper faithful, traditional copper scrapers are available in Australia for roughly $15–$20. Expect the trade-offs above: a lovely ritual and a naturally antimicrobial surface, in exchange for hand-washing, drying and the occasional polish.

So, which should you choose?

• Choose stainless steel if you want the most hygienic, durable, no-fuss option — and especially if you'll run it through the dishwasher. For a premium version that's built to last, the Davids scraper is our top pick.
• Choose copper if you love the Ayurvedic tradition, prefer a warmer feel, and don't mind a little maintenance.
• Skip plastic for anything beyond a first trial.

Whichever you pick, the important thing is that you use it consistently. Pair your scraper with a good soft-bristled toothbrush and, if fresh breath is your main goal, see how tongue scraping stacks up for bad breath.

Frequently asked questions

Is copper or stainless steel better for a tongue scraper?

Both work well. Stainless steel is more durable, easier to clean (it's dishwasher-safe) and stays taste-neutral, which is why it's the more popular modern choice. Copper is naturally antimicrobial and steeped in Ayurvedic tradition, but it needs more care and can tarnish over time.

Do copper tongue scrapers need special care?

Yes — hand-wash and dry your copper scraper after each use, and avoid the dishwasher, as heat and detergent speed up tarnishing. An occasional polish (lemon and salt, or a copper cleaner) keeps it bright.

Can you put a stainless steel tongue scraper in the dishwasher?

Quality stainless steel scrapers like the Davids Professional are dishwasher-safe, which makes sanitising them effortless. Copper scrapers should be hand-washed instead.

Are metal tongue scrapers better than plastic ones?

Generally, yes. Metal scrapers are more rigid (so they lift coating more effectively), far more durable, easier to sanitise, and more sustainable than plastic ones you replace every few months.

How long does a stainless steel tongue scraper last?

With basic care, a medical-grade stainless steel scraper can last for many years — effectively replacing dozens of disposable plastic scrapers.

Shop tongue scrapers

Ready to upgrade? The Davids Professional Tongue Scraper is our medical-grade stainless steel pick, in stock now with free Australia-wide shipping over $100. Explore our full tongue scraper collection to round out your routine.

This article is general information about oral-care tools and isn't a substitute for advice from your dentist.