While many people concentrate on maintaining healthy teeth, most overlook one of the most important parts of their oral health—their tongue! That’s why we’ve gathered these five important facts that you should know to keep your tongue in good health.
1. Your tongue also needs to be brushed.
Did you know that your tongue can also collect bacteria? In fact, if not kept clean, you can experience bad breath, loss of taste, and even changes in the color of your tongue! However, you can avoid these issues by cleaning your tongue at least twice a day. Your toothbrush will do a sufficient job, but you might also consider using a tongue scraper to remove the residue off of the surface of your tongue. Just don’t forget to get the back of the tongue and those hard-to-read places!
2. A healthy diet goes a long way.
Your tongue is a muscle. And just like with your other muscles, a healthy diet is critical to keeping your tongue strong. We recommend trying foods with known anti-microbial properties, such as chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and coconuts. This will help you to fight the harmful bacteria that resides on your tongue. You might also consider adding iron-rich foods into your diet. Try eating spinach, red meat, seafood, and poultry for an added boost to your tongue’s health.
3. Staying hydrated is key.
Did you know that dehydration can cause problems for your tongue’s health? When you don’t drink enough water, your body halts the production of saliva. Saliva is your body’s natural way of removing harmful bacteria from the mouth that can cause tooth decay, halitosis (bad breath), and more. Therefore, to keep your tongue in good shape, try to drink around two liters of water per day.
4. Smoking is very harmful to the tongue.
Smoking can be quite dangerous for your health—including the health of your tongue! Firstly, smokers are more likely to get oral cancer. Cancer of the tongue often manifests as a firm crater and can make it quite painful to speak. Secondly, smoking can make it more difficult for you to enjoy your favorite foods. Studies have shown that tobacco products can permanently change the shape of your taste buds—making them flatter— and make it more difficult for you to taste bitter foods and beverages like coffee.
5. Visiting your dentist every six months is highly recommended.
Getting a regular dental check-up is critical to maintaining your oral health. According to the American Dental Association, you should visit your dentist at least once every six months. This will allow your dentist to check for any oral health issues—such as cancer of the tongue—and receive a thorough professional cleaning.
Do you want to schedule your next check-up? Contact your local River North or Loop dentist today!
FAQs
Practice Optimal Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing twice a day will protect your mouth from pesky bacteria, but make sure to brush your tongue as well. As an alternative, try using a tongue scraper once a day.
How do you keep your tongue healthy? ›
Practice Optimal Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing twice a day will protect your mouth from pesky bacteria, but make sure to brush your tongue as well. As an alternative, try using a tongue scraper once a day.
What are the 5 uses of the tongue? ›
It is involved in licking, tasting, breathing, swallowing, and speaking. The papillae present on the tongue gives it a rough texture. It is covered by a number of taste buds. There are several nerves in the tongue that help in transmitting taste signals to the brain, and thus helps in taste sensation.
How do you take care of your tongue for Grade 5? ›
Five Ways to Take Good Care of Your Tongue
- Brush Your Tongue When You Brush Your Teeth. Hopefully, you already brush your teeth at least twice a day. ...
- Tongue Scraping. ...
- Rinse Your Mouth Well. ...
- Check Your Tongue's Color. ...
- Stay Hydrated for Your Oral Health. ...
- Drink Green Tea.
Simply put, proper tongue positioning occurs when someone gently rests their tongue on the roof of the mouth and away from the teeth.
How can I clean my tongue better? ›
To ensure that you keep bacteria and plaque away, it is best to clean your tongue twice a day. A good rule of thumb is to brush or scrape your tongue right after you brush your teeth. Doing it before bed will help reduce the amount of bacteria able to grow, which reduces the chance of morning breath in the morning.
How do I get my tongue pink again? ›
You may want to brush with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 5 parts water once a day if your tongue is discolored. You should rinse your mouth out with water following this type of cleaning.
What are the 3 functions of the tongue? ›
The tongue (L. lingua; G. glossa) functions as a digestive organ by facilitating the movement of food during mastication and assisting swallowing. Other important functions include speech and taste.
Why is my tongue white? ›
White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
How do you get rid of white tongue? ›
Things you can do if you have a sore or white tongue
- use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth.
- brush your tongue or use a scraper to help improve a white tongue.
- use a straw to drink cool drinks.
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen.
6 Things You Should Be Doing to Take Care of Your Tongue
- Brush your tongue regularly. Each time you brush your teeth, it is important to remember to brush your tongue as well. ...
- Try a tongue scraper. ...
- Rinse well. ...
- Drink green tea. ...
- Monitor the color of your tongue. ...
- Drink plenty of water.
Sarah explains, “A healthy tongue is pink in colour with a slightly rough surface. What gives it this texture are the tiny bumps on top, called papillae.” Any shift from this may signal a health issue or be a sign that you need to work on your oral health.
How can I clean my tongue naturally? ›
Aloe vera juice – swilling your mouth with just one tablespoon of aloe vera juice up to three times a day can help to remove the bacteria that causes the white coating on your tongue.
Why do dentists wipe your tongue? ›
Your teeth and gums aren't the only places where bacteria and plaque can accumulate. They can also build up on your tongue. The surface of your tongue is covered in little bumps called papillae. Food particles and bacteria can easily get trapped within the grooves of the papillae.
Do dentists fix tongues? ›
Sore Tongue
However, if the mouth pain lingers, make an appointment with your dentist to get the problem checked. They'll be able to give you peace of mind and tell you what's happening to your tongue and how to fix it. Some things that can cause tongue soreness are: Canker sores, which are often caused by stress.
What do dentists look for on tongue? ›
They'll look for unusual symptoms and irregularities, like bumps, color, and texture. At Brookside Dental, we take it a step further with modern technology. As part of our oral cancer screenings with VELscope technology, we also check for tongue cancer warning signs.
What vitamins heal the tongue? ›
B Vitamins
Specifically, vitamin B1 may prevent tongue inflammation, vitamin B2 may help prevent inflammation of mucous membranes, B3 (Niacin) may reduce the symptoms of gum disease, and B5 (pantothenic acid) may help with the healing of oral tissues.
What causes a bad tongue? ›
Causes include:
- Infections.
- Mouth injury.
- Hormone changes.
- Nutritional deficiency.
- Dry mouth (xerostomia).
- Irritation from spicy food or tobacco.
- An allergic reaction to food or medicine.
A dark or bright tongue, white patches, and other causes for concern. Some tongue colors and appearances are signs of health issues. Check with your doctor if you notice any of the following: A brown or black tongue signals a condition called "black hairy tongue." This occurs when papillae get too long.
How can I make my tongue pink and healthy? ›
How can I maintain a healthy tongue color?
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Floss between your teeth once a day.
- Clean your tongue daily (with a toothbrush or tongue scraper).
- Use an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash once a day.
- Don't use tobacco products.
- Drink plenty of water.
