Do you forget to brush your tongue? It can be easy to miss your tongue when doing your daily routine tooth-brushing. Bacteria not only make themselves at home on your teeth, but also on your tongue, too. In general, a healthy tongue should appear pink all around. But when food particles are not removed from your tongue, you may notice a build-up of discolored film on your teeth which is made up of oral bacteria. This can lead to bad breath and other dental issues. Fortunately, in most cases proper oral hygiene can help clear this up.
Good and bad bacteria can exist in the oral cavity. The harmful bacteria typically contribute to bad breath as a result of their production of sulfur byproducts. Tongue scrapers can help remove the bacteria, debris, and toxins that collect on your tongue. Or using your toothbrush will also do the trick.
In some cases, tongue discoloration be caused by other conditions. For example, this can include leukoplakia, oral thrush, and oral lichen planus. Leukoplakia resembles white patches on the tongue, and although typically benign, can be a precursor for oral cancer. Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans that also produces white patches on the tongue. Oral lichen planus is chronic inflammatory condition that can present as white colored lesions on the tongue and cause irritation. Your dental professional can help diagnose the issue and recommend the appropriate treatment.
As goes with brushing your teeth, brush your tongue at least twice daily from the back to the front. Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath, improve the appearance of your tongue, allow your taste buds to function properly, and help boost your immune system, among many other benefits. Also, make sure you are drinking plenty of water, which can help wash away food debris, prevent dry mouth, and help keep you healthy. If you notice any unusual discoloration, bumps, or sores in your mouth that do not seem to go away, it is important to inform your dental professionals as soon as possible.
This pandemic has impacted us all, but our community is indeed all stronger together. Our team at WDG always has your safety and health as our top priority, and we have implemented additional safety measures and equipment to help prevent the transmission of all infections, including COVID-19. Wellesley Dental Group has completely reopened since June 8th, 2020 for all dental procedures and cleanings! Thank you for entrusting your health and dental care to us at Wellesley Dental Group.
Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.
Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Bahar Houshman and Dr. Marisa Reason is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Reisman would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.
References:
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-oral-care/tongue-bacteria-whats-healthy