People tend to take their tongues for granted. Not kids of course. They love sticking out their tongues. But adults don’t give much thought to their tongues. Today, it is recognized that your tongue is an important muscle. How much do you know about your tongue? Take your Ankeny, IA dentist, Dr. Amanda Foust’s, true or false quiz below to find out.
- T or F: The tiny bumps you see on your tongue are taste buds.
- T or F: Taste buds can only be found on your tongue.
- T or F: The white film on the back of your tongue means you brush your teeth too much.
- T or F: You should brush your tongue.
- T or F: Your tongue is an important muscle.
- T or F: Your tongue can affect your oral health.
Answers:
- False: Your taste buds can’t be seen with the naked eye. The tiny bumps you see on your tongue are papillae. Food particles and bacteria get trapped deep down between papillae and cause bad breath.
- False: About 10 percent of your taste buds are on the roof of your mouth and on your cheeks.
- False: The white film on the back of your tongue is putrefactive bacteria (also called rot-causing bacteria). The bacteria feed on food debris and saliva trapped between the papillae. Putrefactive bacteria are a major source of bad breath. Foods high in protein including milk, cheese, fish, and red meat are a common source of rot-causing bacteria.
- True: Fifty percent of the bacteria in your mouth live on your tongue making it a major source of bad breath. Brushing your tongue not only helps eliminate bad breath, it also eliminates the bacteria that can contribute to other illnesses. You should scrape your tongue first then brush with oxidizing toothpaste every time you brush your teeth.
- True: Your tongue is actually eight muscles that run side to side, up and down, and back to front. Without your tongue you would not be able to form words to talk, move your food around to chew, or swallow. Your tongue also works like a sponge and is a natural cleaner. It cleans food off your teeth after eating.
- True: Every time your tongue moves it squeezes saliva from the salivary glands located directly beneath it. Saliva consists of enzymes that remineralize your teeth and help reverse early signs of decay. Saliva is also a natural cleanser washing decomposed food particles out of your mouth and down your throat. Saliva also keeps your mouth moist. Dry mouth can cause bad breath, and contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
About Dr. Amanda Foust
For more information regarding anything dental, call Dental Impressions of Ankeny, IA to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foust at (515) 965-0230. Since 2006, Dr. Amanda J. Foust has proudly provided compassionate and quality care to families in Ankeny, Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities.
