A Healthy Tongue Is Important For Maintaining Good Oral Health
Having a healthy tongue plays a vital role in oral health. Without your tongue you wouldn’t be able to speak, eat and taste all your favorite foods. You are great about taking care of your teeth and gums. It is just as important to focus on your tongue too.
Your tongue is an indicator of your overall health. A tongue that is in good health is pink and has small bumps on the top and bottom that are called papillae. When the color and texture of your tongue changes, it can be an indicator of health issues including deficiencies in certain vitamins or oral cancer. Getting a dental exam and checkup with the dentist will be able to uncover any problems.
What Are The Signs Of An Unhealthy Tongue?
Does your tongue have any of the characteristics below? If yes, a visit to your dentist is suggested.
- Black hairy tongue
- Red swollen tongue
- Yellow tongue
- White patches on the tongue
- Sore and bumpy tongue
How To Maintain A Healthy Tongue
The tongue provides a home to the majority of the bacteria that live in the mouth. Alongside teeth and gums, it is wise to take care of the tongue daily. It is a good idea to clean the tongue after brushing the teeth. A tongue can be cleaned simply by brushing it with a toothbrush. Use a small amount of toothpaste and brush downward on the tongue starting from the back. This practice removes harmful bacteria from your mouth and helps eliminate bad breath. Once your tongue is clean, rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash.
For a deep clean, one can opt to use a tongue scraper. This tool is usually made of metal or plastic and is used to scape off the bacteria from the tongue. Rinse the scraper after each pass to avoid putting bacteria back in your mouth. If you find that your tongue is sore after using a tongue scraper, you might be using too much pressure.
Drink lots of water and be sure to stay hydrated. This is also a great way to maitain ideal tongue health. Bacteria and food debris can be washed away by drinking water regularly.
Because the tongue is a muscle, it requires certain vitiamins and nutrients in order to stay healthy. So, maintianing a proper diet that is beneficial to your tongue’s health is also important. Consider eating iron rich foods, as well as, foods with antimicrobial properties can help ward off bacteria and diseases that can lead to oral cancer.
What Are Some Healthy Tongue Type Foods?
What should one eat in order to maintain a tongue’s health? Consider some of the following foods.
- Spinach
- Red Meat
- Carrots
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Shitake Mushrooms
- Most Seafood
- Onions
Talk To Us About Good Tongue Health
The human mouth is actually a delicate ecosystem that is designed to keep not only the mouth healthy, but the entire body as well. Good oral hygiene consists of brushing your teeth properly, taking care of your gums, and of course, your tongue. If there are concerns about your tongue and it is time for a checkup, please call The Dental and Denture Care Center at (352) 848-1050 or contact us through our website here to schedule an appointment today. Our team of dental experts are here to help maintain a healthy tongue. When the tongue stays clean and healthy, it will help the entire body.
