We often use phrases like "hold your tongue", "tongue-in-cheek humour" or "a sharp tongue" in our casual conversations. But in oral healthcare, the tongue despite its importance is often overlooked.

Did you know? The tongue is host to most of the nearly 20 million bacteria residing in mouth. This is a combination of good and bad bacteria, and hence it is important to keep it clean every single day. Each time we eat and our saliva mixes with the food we eat, we consume multiple bacteria. This enters our digestive system and can affect our general health. 

If we include tongue cleaning in our daily oral hygiene routine, we ensure that the mouth is healthy and so is our overall system. 

1. Tongue-cleaning:

Every morning when you wake up and before you sleep at night, make it a point to clean the tongue with a tongue-cleaner or with a toothbrush. Try to clean till the back of the tongue, while being careful to avoid the tonsil area. This reduces bad breath and improves your sense of taste.

2. Gargling:

Gargle and rinse your mouth thoroughly after all meals. This will wash off food particle remnants, so that bacterial buildup is reduced. Gargling with warm salt water helps if there is any infection. 

3. Quit Smoking and Tobacco:

Smoking or chewing tobacco can permanently damage your taste buds, flattening them and dulling your sense of taste. Research says that smokers are also at increased risk of oral cancer, which can present as a firm ulcer on your tongue and harm your ability to speak and taste. 

Instead of giving in to your need for smoking, it is better to quit and protect your health and longevity. 

4. Drink Sufficient Water and Stay Hydrated:

Everyone has experienced mouth dryness at least once or twice, when the mouth feels completely parched and dry. This is usually when your water intake is insufficient, and hence the saliva produced in the mouth is also reduced. Without enough saliva, the bacteria present in the mouth can multiply freely and unhindered, leading to plaque or even gum issues. Always carry / keep a bottle of drinking water with you and have at least a few sips every half an hour or so, to avoid mouth dryness.

5. Schedule Your Oral Health Check Twice a Year:

Make it a point to visit your dentist every six months, so that your oral health is assessed regularly, and any potential challenges are pre-empted in time.

These very simple steps can help you enjoy better oral health in the long run, while avoiding complications through early intervention.

To schedule your next oral check with one of our experts at Apollo Dental, call: 18001020288