Our tongues are small parts of our bodies, but perform many functions and are constantly working in our bodies. In fact, even while you are sleeping, your tongue is working to help keep your mouth healthy. Not only does your tongue help you eat and talk, but it also helps to prevent cavities if taken care of properly. Granger Pediatric Dentistry wants to share some fun facts about our tongues!
The Muscles In Your Tongue
Tongues contain 8 muscles and are the most flexible muscles the body. These muscles help to move food around your mouth while you chew and then propel your food down your throat and into your stomach. These muscles allow us to drink through a straw, move particles around our mouth, and allow babies to breastfeed as a newborn.
Moisture
Your tongue actually requires moisture to be able to taste. Saliva is needed to help flavors bind to the receptor molecules on your tongue. Because of this, we tend to salivate when we are hungry or smell something good.
Saliva is produced under your tongue is glads called submandibular glands and helps to prevent tooth decay, aid digestion, and remove food particles from the mouth. Those who may suffer from the dry mouth often have a hard time eating for these reasons. If you have a dry mouth or are just feeling a little parched, drink more water or try chewing sugar-free gum.
Helps With Digestion
Tongues are also important for helping you digest food. Not only does it help move the food particles around so your teeth can chew it, but it also helps it to move down your throat. The muscles help move the food into your esophagus or windpipe.
Your Tongue And Bacteria
The tongue can harbor lots of bacteria if not handled properly. Taking care of your oral health and cleaning your tongue helps keep your whole mouth healthy. Over 300 strains of bacteria can live on your tongue and can cause disinformation in your tongue and other diseases.
Some fungal infections like thrush, or oral cancers can occur on the tongue. Proper brushing, dental exams, drinking water, and eating healthy foods can help protect your tongue, but some are just more likely to get these infections.
More About Taste Buds
There are around 3,000 to 10,000 taste buds that are not visible to the human eye. Taste buds help us to taste all kinds of foods and drinks but the lifespan of a taste bud is only 2 weeks.
Our tongues contain taste buds that are specifically made for sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory. While our taste buds are sensory organs that help us to taste our food, the tongue, and nose work together to help us properly taste the food.
Granger Pediatric Dentistry
Our office offers a space where kids can have fun at the dentist’s! We strive to combine a calm but fun atmosphere for your child as we clean and take care of their teeth. Proper dental care is important for having a beautiful smile. Teaching kids dental habits early can help prevent tooth decay and help boost confidence in their smiles.
We have recently opened a new building in Fairbourne Station. You can take a virtual tour of our new office on our website and show your children what to expect before they even step foot through our doors. We understand that many children experience dental anxiety, so we work hard to make everyone feel comfortable. Working with children takes a lot of patience, and we take pride in dealing calmly with all our younger patients.
Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.
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