While caring for your teeth is very important when it comes to oral hygiene, the tongue is often overlooked. It can be a breeding ground for bacteria buildup, and contributes to having bad breath. If you have problems with bad breath, paying attention to your tongue could be the help that you need. Follow these tips and see if they work for you.

Drink Beverages That Are Sugar-Free

Drinking water can actually help clean your tongue. Since there are many rough surfaces on the tongue, the liquid helps get between them and flush out any type of bacteria that could be hiding in the crevices.

If you want to prevent the bacteria buildup, you need to stay away from beverage with sugar in them that can make the problem worse. Bacteria tend to thrive on sugar, and if you drink a lot of it, even water will not flush away the bacteria that has formed.

Use A Tongue Scraper

The best way to clean off that rough surface is with a tongue scraper. Brushing it will not do much good, because the bristles will not be able to get into the crevices as well as a scraping device. The toothpaste may help freshen your breath, but it won't provide long term results throughout the day.

The best time to brush your tongue is after you wake up, since bacteria grows quickly while you're sleeping. You do not need to wait until after you eat breakfast, just make it a habit to clean your tongue at the same time that you brush your teeth.

Swish With Oil From Sesame Seeds

Sesame seed oil can give your breath a very pleasant smell, as well as get rid of any bacteria in it. It actually does this by absorbing the bacteria, and spitting out the oil gets rid of the bacteria with it. Never swallow the oil.  It helps to make this a part of your morning routine, and brush your teeth after swishing with the sesame seed oil.

Keeping your tongue clean is a key to having fresh breath. If these tips don't seem to do the trick, there could be another problem causing it. Your dentist may be able to diagnose the problem for you, since other dental problems can cause odors. This includes having a dental abscess, an infection, or a form of gum disease that is creating problems for you. 

For more information, contact dentists like Tony Parsley, DMD.