The tongue is very important in oral health. Cleaning it on a daily basis is crucial, and can help our overall oral health. It is vital to look out for different coatings on the tongue, as this can be a sign of potential problems. When you look after your tongue, this contributes towards improved oral health.
When a dentist is carrying out a routine examination, they don’t just look at your teeth and gums. Additionally, the tongue is a area of focus for a range of reasons.
Family doctors may also ask to see your tongue in cases of examining anything mouth-based – such as a bad throat, a potential case of tonsilitis, or anything else.
While you may not realise it, the tongue is actually a very important part of our oral health. Therefore, cleaning your tongue twice a day is very important for many reasons [1].
About the tongue
The tongue plays an important role in our everyday life – without us even being aware of it. The tongue is made up of eight muscle pairs, which aid its movement.
Meanwhile, the surface of the tongue is covered in around 250,000 very small bumps – which are called papillae. About 10,000 taste buds exist on the tongue too.
When we eat, drink or talk, we are using our tongue. It also plays an important role in breathing – meaning it literally helps to keep us alive!
Ideally, the tongue should be some shade of pink. It is common for people to have a range of shades. However, if there is a strong coating on the tongue, or discoloration, this could be problematic.
Tongue coatings information
It is important to look out for any changes in the colour of the tongue. This includes different coatings on the tongue. Furthermore, these coatings usually feature a certain colour, which helps to guide us.
One of the most common coatings is a white one. This usually happens when you neglect brushing the tongue – even if only for a few days. At this point, plaque has normally formed. Brushing the tongue can help to mitigate this problem.
Some people develop a yellow coating on their tongue. This can be rather concerning, as it may indicate oral thrush, which is a fungal infection [1]. If you have a yellow coating, you should visit a dentist immediately. You may be prescribed anti-fungal medication to help get rid of it.
A black coating may develop from smoking a lot, or consuming a lot of dark-coloured food and drink. It can make it look as if there is black hair on your tongue. It represents an overgrowth of bacteria which requires an urgent improvement in oral hygiene.
Other problems
One of the biggest concerns is oral cancer – which can include symptoms that are visible on the tongue [1]. Long-lasting red patches or growing lesions should be looked at by a dental professional.
Oral cancer is a type of condition that impacts many people. Early detection of the condition is important, so checking your tongue regularly and letting your dentist know about any changes is crucial.
Sometimes the tongue can get painful. Again, it is worth discussing any pain with your dentist. But potential causes of tongue pain include nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, burns, ulcers, and injuries from trauma.
Dry mouth is also common, especially for those who take medicines like antidepressants and opioids. Unfortunately, dry mouth – including the tongue – can hasten tooth decay. Therefore, it is important to take extra care if your mouth is dry.
Advice on cleaning the tongue
As discussed, it is very important to clean your tongue regularly. Experts recommend cleaning the tongue for 10-15 seconds, twice per day [1]. Moreover, this can easily be incorporated into your regular toothbrushing.
It is recommended that you gently brush the tongue with your toothbrush. Doing so in small circular motions can help to prevent bacteria from building up.
Additionally, some people choose to use a tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers are curved instruments that assist with cleaning the tongue and removing bacteria.
By following this advice, it should result in strong health for your tongue, fresh breath, and improved oral health. Clearly, a lot can be achieved by cleaning your tongue!
Thinking points…
1) Brushing your tongue should be an important part of your oral health routine. The tips above can help you to have a healthy tongue. Another important thing you can do for your oral health is to attend regular dental check-ups! At a check-up, a dentist can take a look at your oral health and provide advice, information and a plan for any treatment needed. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
2) Many people are unaware of the importance of the tongue! Therefore, you could share this article with your friends, co-workers and family members. They may find this article interesting, and it could raise awareness of any signs of problems. Why not share this article now?
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] Sharma, D. (2024). Yes, you do need to clean your tongue. Here’s how and why. Available: https://theconversation.com/yes-you-do-need-to-clean-your-tongue-heres-how-and-why-237130. Last accessed: 27th Septembe
