You may not spend much time thinking about your tongue and how it relates to your oral health. However, when something happens to this extremely strong muscle, just about all of your attention becomes focused on it. For instance, when you take a sip of something that is far too hot, you burn your tongue and feel frustrated throughout the day. When you think you’d like a piercing, you wonder if it’s a good plan or not. You may also wonder if you’re supposed to brush it when you watch a friend brush her teeth and note that she brushes her tongue! Not to worry. We can offer answers and advice in the form of a few tongue tips!
Tip #1: Ice It For Minor Burns
When you go for that coffee, pizza, etc. much too fast and you scald your tongue, the sensation that follows is never pleasant. While you’ll need to give it a bit of time to heal, expediting the process and reducing your discomfort can be of great help. To do so, we encourage you to remember the following:
- Immediately place your tongue in cold water
- Rinse several times throughout the day with salt water to keep it clean
- Suck on ice chips or other cold treats to alleviate swelling and pain
Tip #2: Clean It Daily
Your tongue-brushing friend was onto something. Protecting your overall oral health means keeping your tongue clean, too. You can do this one of two ways: With your brush during dental hygiene or with a tongue scraper. Your choice!
Tip #3: Beware The Piercings
Just remember: If you decide to pierce your tongue, you’ll need to keep it exceptionally clean if you want to avoid oral health issues like infection. Need help? Just ask.
Protect Your Tongue With Our Advice
Remember that your tongue is an essential component of your mouth and requires attention, too. Ask for care suggestions during your next checkup. Visit us for a dental checkup in Ankeny, IA by contacting Dental Impressions to schedule a visit at (515) 965-0230.
