4 The best way to keep the tongue healthy, the key to preventing disease

Compared to teeth, the tongue is a part of the mouth that is often neglected for hygiene and health. However, did you know that there are several diseases caused by a dirty tongue? Dr. Puneet Ahuja, Senior Consultant Dental Surgeon at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, India said that some infections can be caused due to poor tongue hygiene. Therefore, it is important to know how to maintain the health of the tongue in order to avoid a number of infections that can interfere with your health.

What does a healthy tongue look like?

A healthy tongue is pink in color with tiny spots called papillae, and there will also be a thin white coating on it. Dr. Puneet Ahuja says having a pink tongue isn't a myth at all, it's a fact that everyone needs to know. If your tongue is black, yellow, white, or even red, it may not be clean.

How do you keep your tongue healthy?

When you use your tongue continuously, but ignore the treatment, it can have negative effects. The tongue can show signs of trouble by experiencing discoloration. In some cases pain or discomfort may be involved. A discolored or painful tongue can indicate more serious health problems such as vitamin deficiency, AIDS, and oral cancer. To prevent various diseases and infections that may occur, you must maintain the health of your tongue by:

1. Clean the tongue with a special tongue cleaner

Dr. Euan Swan from the Canadian Dental Association in Ottawa said that the surface of the tongue can accommodate a lot of bacteria. The accumulation of germs on the tongue can be one of the causes of bad breath. The bacteria trapped in the tongue can travel to other parts of your mouth. This can lead to plaque buildup that causes tooth decay and gum disease.

An overgrowth of bacteria can turn your tongue yellow, white or even black and hairy. A study at the University of Michigan's School of Medicine found that about one-third of the bacterial species found on human tongues do not grow on other surfaces in their mouths.

Therefore, dr. Ahuja said an important way to keep the tongue healthy is to clean it using a special tongue cleaner tool. You can use it by pulling it from the base to the tip of the tongue. Repeat this activity two to three times while the tongue cleansing process takes place.

Marc Lowenberg, a cosmetic dentist in New York, says at least you clean your tongue once a day. Use a tongue cleaner after brushing your teeth either in the morning or at night. After using a tongue cleaner, it is recommended that you use a non-alcoholic mouthwash or rinse your mouth with warm water.

2. Drink lots of water

Consume 2 liters of water per day to keep the body hydrated. This method can also help keep your tongue pink and healthy because water helps clean the bacteria on your tongue and keeps it moist. Consuming enough water also prevents your mouth from drying out which risks encouraging microbial growth on the surface of the tongue.

3. Gargle with salt water

To keep your tongue healthy, you can rinse your mouth with salt water. The trick, fill the glass half full with warm water and put half a teaspoon of salt in it. Then, use the liquid to rinse your mouth. In an article published in the British Dental Journal, salt water rinses are useful for increasing the pH in the mouth so they can inhibit bacterial growth

4. Do not use jewelry on the tongue

Getting body piercing carries a risk of infection for the body. However, according to the Canadian Dental Association, the risk of infection due to tongue piercings is much higher. This is because the mouth and tongue itself are full of bacteria. In addition, the metal jewelry used can also damage your teeth and gums. Even the tongue piercing procedure itself can damage nerves which can make the tongue lose its sensitivity.

Start practicing the four things above to keep your tongue clean, healthy and well-groomed.