The human tongue is one of the vital parts of oral health that requires extensive care – otherwise, it could cause major dental disorders that can jeopardize your entire well-being. Due to the increasing number of health risks involving tongue, dentists ensure that everyone is well aware of tongue health’s importance.
Every time we brush our teeth, make sure to spare time brushing your tongues, too. Bad bacteria usually lurk in different secluded areas of our tongue, causing your oral health to deteriorate no matter how you perform dental brushing and flossing. According to research, poor tongue health is one of the common reasons of getting bad breath and the following tongue disorders:
- Cold sores or popularly known as fever blisters are proven factors of causing cold and fever. This type of virus is contagious and acquired through a kiss, shared utensils and closed contact. In usual cases, cold sores are associated with TMJ, bad breath and canker sores. You can use over-the-counter cream or ointments to relieve pain from cold sores.
- Canker sores are small painful blisters in the mouth – may it be in the cheek, gums or on the tongue. Medications may vary and start with numbing creams, dental lasers and prescribed drugs. Canker sores naturally heals and can last a week or two. Just make sure to avoid the triggers, such as hypersensitivity, infection, stress, hormonal problems and vitamin deficiency.
- Oral thrush is another tongue disorder that usually affects babies and adults. It is a common problem caused by candida yeast and may progress without diagnosis and treatment from dentists. One of its triggers are poor immune system, diabetic condition and certain medications.
- Black hairy tongue maybe a painless condition but it certainly is a sign of grown and trapped bacteria in the mouth. Bad oral habits, such as poor oral hygiene, extensive smoking and drinking coffee are one of its triggers. You can scrape off this problem through proper brushing, tongue scraper and medication from your personal dentist.
- Leukoplakia is a tongue problem and considered as a reaction to an irritation. This can range from tough teeth, ill-fitting dentures to cigarette smoking. The white patches found are often painless but can be precancerous. The only way to find out which of which is to see your dentist for a full mouth inspection.
- Lichen planus is a rare tongue rash that has white patches and shiny red bumps. It has no known cause but can be treated through oral medication. Without proper treatment, this tongue disorder can affect skin, nails, scalp and genitals. Worst-case scenario, it can increase the risks of oral cancer.
- Geographic tongue causes a map-like appearance. Your tongue parts lose some of its bumps that you end up having raised and lowered spots. Thankfully, this harmless condition naturally goes away. However, there are over-the-counter pain medications you can try to speed up the treatment.
These oral tongue disorders are just among the few why you need to take your tongue seriously. You can visit the best dentists in San Jose CA to learn more of tongue health and why it plays a major role in your oral health.