Blog

Taking Care of Your Tongue

Tongues are pretty cool parts of our mouths that not only help us with things like chewing and talking, but taking good care of them is instrumental for a healthy mouth. If not taken care of properly, the tongue alone could create some serious dental concerns. At my dental office in Douglasville, we want to make sure all of our patients know the importance of taking care of their tongues and how to do it properly.

A Little Tongue Background

Tongues allow us to chew, swallow, and talk. But they also can directly affect our overall oral health.  Home to over 10,000 taste buds, the tongue is often the part of the mouth that’s exposed to the most bacteria and acid. Each tiny taste bud and all those other bumps and dips we can see and feel on the tongue’s surface make a great place for acid and bacteria to hide.

Why it Deserves Attention

Your tongue is in constant contact with your teeth. If your tongue isn’t clean and it’s teeming with bacteria, all of that bacteria is being transferred right onto your teeth. When this happens, the chance for decay greatly increases.

A clean tongue also means no debris obscuring your tastebuds. What’s this mean for you? More flavor and a better tasting meal!

Keeping your tongue clean can fight off bad breath bacteria that may be lurking around. While bad breath can be caused by a variety of things, cleaning your tongue is a great way to help keep your breath fresh. An important note about bad breath, if it’s chronic and doesn’t go away, you should mention it to your dentist immediately as it could be a sign of something serious.

How to Care for it

Every time you brush your teeth, take a few extra seconds to brush your tongue too. Simply stick out your tongue and gently scrub it with your toothbrush. If brushing your tongue is uncomfortable, it’s ok and quite common. Make sure to tell your dentist so you can try an alternative tongue cleaning solution with a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper gently removes bacteria from the tongue’s surface and is easier for those with a sensitive gag reflex to use.

At my Douglasville dental office, we’re all about getting and keeping our patients’ smiles healthy. And the tongue is just as important to that goal as brushing and flossing. So make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing once a day, and, as importantly, keeping up with regular appointments with us.

Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.

Suffering From Morning Sickness? See Your Dentist.

If you’re suffering from morning sickness brought on by pregnancy, you’re not alone. Nearly 80 percent of pregnancies result in some sort of morning sickness. During pregnancy, and especially following morning sickness, there are a lot of things on your mind. Your teeth are probably not one of them. At my dental office in Douglasville, we have some information we’d like to share about pregnancy and tooth health.

Morning sickness exposes your teeth to a large amount of stomach acid. That acid is one of the most dangerous things for your teeth. Acid is a leading culprit to enamel erosion and decay, not to mention more serious dental concerns. So when you’re experiencing morning sickness, and there is no way to keep it from happening, how can you limit the amount of acid in your mouth?

Try These Easy Tips!

• Wait to Brush. Brushing immediately after vomiting can lead to damage. Acid weakens the enamel and if you brush while the enamel is soft, you can cause scratches that bacteria can hide in. So wait at least an hour after getting sick to brush.

• Rinse with Water. While you’re waiting for the right time to brush, it’s a good idea to initially rinse your mouth out with water. Swishing water around in the mouth and spitting it out can remove a lot of acid.

• Keep Drinking Water. You’re already drinking a lot of water, so keep on doing it. The more water you drink, the less acid will stick around in your mouth.

• Scrape the Tongue. Don’t forget about your tongue. After vomiting, get a tongue scraper and gently run it down your tongue. You can successfully remove a lot of acid that would actually end up on your teeth.

If you’re pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, I encourage you to visit my Douglasville dental office as soon as you can. We want to make sure your teeth are not suffering from the amount of acid in mouth and if they are, we’ll work with you to help you keep your teeth healthy during your pregnancy and for years to come.

Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.