Your Amazing Tongue

Whenever you think about your mouth, you think about your teeth and gums. Our tongues, however, are nothing less than amazing. They are flexible and vital for speaking, eating, and swallowing. 

In this article, our team of dental experts at Impressions Dentistry in Gilroy, California, explains the importance of your tongue and how amazing it is.

Interesting Facts About Your Tongue

Below are some of the facts that make your tongue unique:

• It might sound unbelievable, but your tongue houses between 2,000 and 10,000 taste buds that get replaced every few weeks. People with a heightened sense of taste are called supertasters, while less-sensitive ones are called non-tasters.
• An average tongue is 3 inches long. 
• Tongues are not the only place with taste buds. Your entire mouth, from cheeks to throat, contains taste buds. All of them together form the delicious palette of flavors we taste when eating. 
• Tongue prints have the potential to be as distinctive as a fingerprint.
• Your tongue can heal faster than any other body part.
• You might have heard the popular myth that different areas of your tongue sense different tastes. The only truth to this myth is that the back of your tongue is more sensitive to bitter tastes. 
• There are eight muscles in your tongue that help it function and help you speak.
• Your tongue gives a lot of clues about your health. A pink tongue is a sign that you are healthy. White patches on your tongue indicate exposure to a fungal infection, whereas a yellow tongue indicates poor health. 

Keeping Your Tongue Clean and Healthy

Your tongue is quite remarkable, allowing you to speak and taste. But, apart from this, it is also a haven for bacteria. To maintain a healthy mouth, it is essential to also keep your tongue healthy. 

Here are some simple yet effective tips to keep your tongue clean:

• Do not forget to clean your tongue gently every day. 
• Use tongue scrapers instead of a toothbrush to clean your tongue. While brushing is okay, it isn’t as effective as a tongue scraper. 
• Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet. 
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

To learn more about the importance of your tongue, contact Impressions Dentistry by calling (669) 327-5623. You can also visit our dental office at 1325 1st Street, Gilroy, CA 95020 for all your dental queries.