Of course teeth and gums are not the only things in your mouth that will benefit from a regular cleaning and a good oral hygiene regimen. The tongue itself, with all of its rough surfaces, can also harbor bacteria. This can lead to halitosis, which is also known as bad breath.
There are a couple of different options for cleaning your tongue. The most common method is to simply give your tongue a thorough brushing after you have finished brushing your teeth. Try to brush around the sides of the tongue as well as the rough surface of the taste buds.
Some people also prefer to use tongue scrapers. While designs might vary a little bit, depending on the manufacturer, a tongue scraper is usually a plastic stick with a mildly sharp edge on one end. There is no definitive research that finds tongue scrapers any more effective than a soft-bristled toothbrush. Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of personal preference.
When using a tongue scraper, you want to work from front to back, making multiple overlapping sweeps of the tongue. If you notice a buildup of material on the blade edge, you should rinse it off before making the next sweep.
If you find that you still have persistent bad breath, despite regular brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning, you may want to look at your diet as a possible cause.
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