Our oral health is an early and important indicator for many serious conditions that may develop throughout the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, oral health might contribute to conditions such as:
Many of these conditions are thought to be caused by bacteria from your mouth traveling around the body to places it should not be, and causing infections. One of the most important things we can do to mitigate our risks of suffering from these illnesses is to practice good oral hygiene (aka brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings). But did you know there is more that you can do to enhance your oral health?
Infections, stress, medications, and even aging can affect your tongue. It is important to know how to take care of your tongue, and how to recognize unhealthy changes.
A healthy tongue should be pale pink in color, with no pronounced spots, bumps, or blemishes. There are small nodules called papillae on the top and bottom of the tongue, and these are your taste buds, and nothing to worry about.
(For more information and photos, see this WebMD article)
Now that we know all of the things to look out for, we will share the best ways to manage your regular tongue care. If you incorporate these things into your oral health routine, you will have a healthier, happier mouth (and better breath!) and you will recognize signs of issues sooner!
1. Brush your tongue
When you brush your teeth, be sure to include your tongue! This should be a gentle brushing, moving from the back of the mouth to the front. This will help move bacteria out of your mouth and is one of the best things you can do for better-smelling breath.
2. Use a tongue scraper
If brushing alone is not helping, you may want to start using a tongue scraper. We prefer tongue scrapers made of stainless steel or copper. Gently scrape your tongue (if you scrape too hard, your tongue might get sore) from back to front with a clean scraper, then rinse the bacteria off of the scraper with water. It’s really that simple!
3. Rinse your mouth after brushing
After your oral health routine of brushing (teeth and tongue), flossing, and scraping, rinse out your mouth! All that hard work has dislodged bacteria and buildup, and rinsing is the best way to ensure that it is flushed from your mouth.
4. Stay Hydrated
As we’ve mentioned, drinking water is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. Not only does hydration help your overall health, it also flushes your mouth, reducing build up of bacteria and sugars.
Stay on top of your oral health and call BOCO Dental to schedule a check-up today!The Tongue Speaks