Tongues. We use it every day to taste and speak, not realizing that it can do so much more than that. Did you know that it’s actually one of the biggest indicators of the condition of your oral health? Since it’s linked to many of our vital organs, the different colors, textures, coatings, and shapes of the tongue can give important information regarding our health. By paying closer attention to it, you can better understand what’s going on with your body. Read on to learn more about what your tongue says, and how to clean it properly to maintain good health.
What Should Your Tongue Look Like?
A healthy tongue is usually pink, although it can vary slightly in dark and light shades. It also has small nodules on the top and bottom that are called papillae. If your tongue ever changes significantly from the normal pink shade you’re used to seeing, something’s amiss. Another symptom of an unhealthy tongue is having noticeable pain while eating, drinking, or swallowing.
Let’s take a look at some possible causes of tongue abnormalities based on color:
- White Tongue – Thick, white patches or lines on the tongue could anything from mild to concerning issues, such as oral thrush, oral lichen planus, and leukoplakia.
- Red Tongue – Your tongue may appear red due to vitamin B deficiencies, Kawasaki disease, and scarlet fever.
- Yellow Tongue – The most common cause of a yellow tongue is bacterial overgrowth. It can also be the result of smoking, chewing tobacco, taking certain vitamins, and psoriasis.
- Black and Hairy Tongue – While this may look concerning, it’s also usually harmless. It’s most commonly the result of bacterial overgrowth. However, other causes may include poor oral hygiene, antibiotics, diabetes, and chemotherapy treatments.
How to Properly Clean Your Tongue
Although it’s often overlooked, cleaning your tongue is one of the most integral parts of your oral hygiene routine. It helps reduce unwanted mouth bacteria that can lead to bad breath, plaque buildup, and other health conditions.
Here’s how to clean your tongue using the following methods:
- Tongue Scraper – Stick out your tongue as far as you can and place the tongue scraper towards the back of it. Press the tool on your tongue and move it toward the front while applying pressure. Then, run the scraper under warm water to eliminate any debris and bacteria. Spit out excess saliva, then repeat the process several times as needed.
- A Toothbrush – Once you have a soft-bristled toothbrush on hand, stick out your tongue as far as possible. Position your toothbrush at the back of the tongue and start brushing lightly, moving forwards and backward along your tongue. Spit out any saliva that appears and rinse the toothbrush with warm water. Repeat as needed.
As you can see, this small body part can provide great insight into your overall health. If you notice any changes that last more than two weeks, schedule a visit with your dentist in Midlothian right away. They’ll address the root cause and help you stay in optimal health!
About the Practice
At Long Family Dental, we go above and beyond to treat every patient like a member of our very own family. Our skilled and friendly team enjoys educating patients to help them make confident and informed decisions for their oral health. If you’ve noticed any abnormalities on your tongue, don’t hesitate to reach out for an exam. You can make an appointment via our website or call (972) 775-3192.