04 May Do I really need to pay attention to my tongue?
We are all born with a tongue, and we have the tools and knowledge to do many things with this organ. But many of the functions of the tongue are taken for granted. If more thought were given to its many uses, more attention might be given to caring for your tongue. Your dentist can offer a technical explanation if you wish, but here are a few basic reasons special attention should be given to the tongue.
Speech – Words are formed from sounds we make using our tongue, palate, and teeth. Without the tongue, we would be incapable of normal speaking ability.
Senses – The tongue allows us to sense sweet, salty, sour, and temperature. If you burn your tongue when sipping a hot cup of tea, this issues a warning to wait until it cools a bit before you burn your throat.
Taste – The tongue has little buds that allow us to taste the foods and beverages we consume.
Eating and Digesting – We use the tongue for more than taste. It works in conjunction with other body functions such as salivation to allow us to more easily chew and swallow food as well as digest it.
In addition to these critical functions, we would not be able to sing a lovely tune or play a wind instrument such as a horn. Many people use their tongue as a form of expression … sticking one’s tongue out at something or someone is a sign of disapproval or disrespect.
Some use their tongue to display their jewelry, but this can be hazardous to oral health and is discouraged by your dentist.
So what kind of attention should one pay to their tongue? First and foremost, do not use tobacco in any form. This can diminish or destroy the ability to taste, as well as likely take years off your life.
Bacteria thrive on the tongue. Lightly brushing the tongue while brushing teeth will remove some of these bacteria to help keep breath fresh. There are tongue scrapers available as well. Tongue scraping has been around a long time, and many swear by it as a means to remove toxins that settle on the tongue.
More in depth questions concerning your tongue and how to care for it can be addressed to our family dentist office. Call us at Aesthetic Dental Partners today to schedule an appointment!