Have you ever noticed a white film on your tongue? As unpleasant as it may be to think about, everyone has bacteria on their tongue. tongue From bad breath to more serious health problems, cleaning your tongue is essential for good oral care. Here’s what to watch out for when it comes to good and bad microbes.
Signs of a Healthy Language
A good indicator of a healthy tongue (and body) is a uniform pink color with no deeper red, yellow, or white discoloration. However, if you see a layer of white film on the top, this should not be cause for alarm; is usually temporary. This film is a mixture of bacteria, dead cells and food debris. For peace of mind, proper brushing and flossing can help resolve the issue.
Some Bacteria Are Normal
You have about 20 billion bacteria in your mouth at any given time. For the most part, your tongue and mouth are made up of “gram-positive” and “gram-negative” bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria are found in plaque, while gram-negative bacteria, the more “smelling” of the two, are found in the “pitched slits of the tongue.”
Some Bad Bacteria Can Cause Bad Breath
Some bacteria have a more negative impact on your oral health than others: Four types of bacteria contribute to bad breath or bad breath. These are known as gram-negative “anaerobic bacteria” that form compounds that turn into sulfur byproducts, one of the leading causes of bad breath. These bacteria can live anywhere in your mouth, both on your tongue and in plaque. In particular, brushing your tongue twice a day can significantly help reduce this odor effect.
When Should You Take Action?
In addition to examining the health of your teeth during a dental exam, your dentist will typically look for spots of discoloration that may be problematic and early warning signs that your tongue bacteria may indicate a larger health problem. For example, leukoplakia can turn into oral cancer and appear as a white patch on your tongue. Visit your dentist if any discoloration, which may include hair growth, persists for several days.
When Should You Take Action?
In addition to reviewing exams of your teeth during a dental checkup, your dentist will look for discoloration spots that could be a problem as a user, and early warning signs that your tongue bacteria could point to a larger health problem. Daily leukoplakia can turn into oral cancer and should be observed as a white patch on your tongue. Visit your dentist if any discoloration persists for several days, which may include hair care.
