Port Orange Dentist: 6 Ways to Take Better Care of your Tongue

Oft overlooked but not any less significant, the tongue is an important part of our oral health! Not only does the tongue help with speaking, chewing, and swallowing, it also blesses us with the ability to enjoy the taste of food with its over 10,000 taste buds. Now, on the other hand, the tongue is also home to many of the bacteria living in our mouths, which is why taking the proper care is so vital to your long-term oral health. Read on for 6 tips from your leading dentists in Port Orange, FL on how to take better care of your tongue!

Brush Your Tongue when you Brush Your Teeth

This one is easy to remember because brushing our teeth is already such an integral part of every oral care routine. Whenever you are brushing, apply a small dab of toothpaste directly to your toothbrush, then brush your tongue back to front – this will expel any odor-causing bacteria from your mouth. Only brush gently, as pressure that is too forceful can harm your delicate tongue.

Look into Tongue Scrapers

Go a step above simply brushing your tongue and consider investing in a tongue scraper if you do not already have one. These tools are made from nonabrasive, soft plastic that allows you to scrape away the mucus layer on your tongue without hurting it. After each scrape, rinse off your tool with warm water to remove the bacteria it has accumulated before going back in.

Rinse Thoroughly

Each time you make an effort to clean your tongue, be sure to thoroughly flush out your mouth with water. Once the bacteria have been stirred up either by your brush or scraper, rinsing is an important step to actually removing it from your mouth. To that end, consider using a homemade warm saline solution – made by simply mixing water and a teaspoon of salt – to keep your tongue relatively safe from bacteria.

Drink More Green Tea

Green tea is not just delicious and good for your overall health, it is also highly effective at reducing the bacteria in your mouth and keeping your tongue clean. Drinking more green tea means killing off the odor-causing bacteria found on your tongue more often.

Keep a Watchful Eye on the Color of your Tongue

The color of our tongue can be indicative of underlying health complications, and checking it regularly is an easy part of any daily routine. A healthy tongue should regularly be light pink and have a slight white coating. Signs of trouble include:

• Definitively white tongues may indicate dehydration
• Bright red tongues can warn you of heart or blood disorder
• Pale tongues could point towards vitamin deficiencies

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is crucial for so many aspects of the health and functionality of our body. Not only does it usefully provide oxygen to our bloodstream, but it also washes away the bacteria and food debris from your tongue and teeth. Therefore, drink plenty of water always – your mouth and body will be grateful!

Looking for professional assistance regarding the health of your tongue, teeth, and gums? Stop by The Pampered Tooth today! Our professional team of dentists offers a wide array of expertise regarding oral health, as well as an incredible range of services to residents of Port Orange and Daytona Beach Shores. No matter what you need, we look forward to seeing you soon!