How to Care for Your Tongue
Have you ever wondered about the reason your dentist checks your tongue? Did you know that the condition of your overall health can be found by just looking at your tongue? Well, here is everything you need to know about your tongue health.
The importance of caring for your tongue health
Cleaning your tongue should be a vital part of your oral hygiene routine. If not done properly, bacteria can accumulate on the tongue, producing mercaptans and hydrogen sulphide, leading to a foul odour. The tongue is a crucial body part that helps us to speak, eat, taste, and swallow food. It also acts as a first barrier to any harmful bacteria or virus you may have ingested. So, you have to make sure your tongue is healthy.
A healthy tongue has a pink colour to it. It is covered by papillae which are small painless nodules. Change of colour and texture of the tongue is a significant indication of an underlying health issue and should be addressed immediately.
Regular tongue cleaning helps avoid oral health issues, bad breath, plaque deposits, and bacteria coating the tongue. It also helps enhance your oral hygiene and taste buds and boosts immunity.
What your dentist can tell you
Your dentist examines your tongue’s colour, texture, look, shape, and size. During this process, the dentist will ask you to open your mouth wide and take out your tongue. Then they will hold the edge of your tongue in one hand and twist it to one side and then the other. Then they will ask you to raise your tongue tip towards your upper lip so that they can see the base of your tongue. This helps them identify if you have any abnormal growth, nutritional deficiencies, or any type of infection.
A few unusual changes to your tongue that can affect your oral health include the texture and colour of your tongue. If you notice white, red, or pink patches, painful lumps or sores, bleeding, or burns, visit your dentist urgently.
Healthy tongue tips
You can maintain a healthy tongue by developing a few good practices. Firstly, you ought to clean your tongue regularly. There are many ways that you can follow to clean your tongue. You can brush your tongue, use a tongue-scrapper, and a mouth rinse. Ideally, it would be best to combine all three tips to ensure you effectively clean your tongue.
A tongue scrapper can clean the top surface of your tongue. Make sure your scrapper does not have a sharp edge, take out your tongue, and insert the scrapper towards the back of your mouth. Now apply a little pressure and drag the scraper towards the tip. Repeat this action 2-3 times. Use a mouthwash to rinse your mouth correctly to wash off all the debris. Then using your toothbrush clean the sides and base of your tongue. Use the mouth rinse for a final wash.
Staying hydrated, having a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and visiting your dentist regularly to ensure optimal oral health.
Now that you know the importance of maintaining your tongue health, follow the tips to maintain oral hygiene. In case you face any issues or need more information, talk to your dentist. They will be able to do a thorough check-up and share a treatment plan.
