How Your Tongue Affects Your Oral Health
Everyone should have an oral health routine they keep up with daily to ensure their mouth is kept clean and free of bacteria. We brush our teeth, floss and rinse with mouthwash to feel fresh and clean at least twice a day! Something to think about is how your tongue should be part of your oral health too. Here’s what your tongue can say about your oral health and how Rockwall Oral Surgery can help improve your dental needs with our various procedures and services. We want to give you all the ways to have a healthy tongue and better overall oral health!
Examining Your Tongue
A healthy tongue will visibly be pink with small nodules called papillae over its surface. However, there are still times when your tongue may not appear as healthy as it should be.
- Red — A red tongue is usually a sign of blood disease, inflammation, or an underlying heart condition, among other things.
- Purple — A purple tongue signals that you may have a circulation issue.
- Blue — A blue tongue indicates lack of oxygen.
- White — If your tongue has a thick white coating, this could mean you have oral thrush, which is a fungal infection.
- Black — If you have a black, swollen tongue, this may be a reaction to antibiotics, smoking, or lack of oral hygiene.
Your tongue can tell you a number of things. First, your daily routine of brushing and flossing may not be working properly. Secondly, your diet might be off. An imbalanced diet can certainly affect your teeth and gums. Lastly, negative habits can indicate you are damaging your oral health. Such as smoking, drinking excessive alcohol or consuming lots of sugary drinks like sodas. Having a healthy tongue should be something you want for yourself and your oral health. So think twice before you eat, drink and consume your bad habits in the future.
Pursuing a Healthy Tongue
How you can keep up with a healthy tongue at home is by checking it often. Look out for these indicators to make sure your tongue is as healthy as it can be:
- A very red tongue can indicate vitamin deficiencies.
- White patches are commonly seen in those who consume tobacco products.
- Bumps and bumpy patches can appear if you are suffering from a fever.
- Soreness can be due to food allergies.
- Protein buildup can cause your tongue to have a hairy texture, which means you should clean or brush your tongue more often.
If you check on your tongue at home, but something still doesn’t seem right. Contact us at Rockwall Oral Surgery for a consultation. We can take a look and see why your tongue is keeping you from having the best oral health you possibly can. A healthy tongue is important for your teeth and gums, just as much as it is for your overall health. Let us help you keep a healthy routine and find out what is going on!
Rockwall Oral Surgery Can Help!
If you are unsure about the health of your tongue, come into Rockwall Oral Surgery in Rockwall, TX and we can set up a consultation to figure out what might be going on. Your tongue health is important for your overall oral health, and we want to make sure everything is just as it should be. We are here to answer any questions you may have and help you find the right procedures you need for a healthy tongue! Contact us online or give us a call at (469) 264-8921.
