This four-part article series talks about the various ailments and conditions that can cause tongue problems, from unsightly discoloration to uncomfortable bumps and ridges.

Whether you are aware of it or not, you use your tongue almost all the time. It is an essential organ for communication, taste and digestion. Because it is integrally involved in these activities, the various conditions and ailments that can affect it can cause acute discomfort and frustration. In order to better understand the importance of the tongue, we spoke to some Sun City dental professionals about some of the common and perhaps not so common problems that can affect this major muscle.

About The Tongue

The tongue is made up of a number of interconnected muscles, rather than just one large one. These muscles work together to provide you with the incredible control and dexterity is has in helping you eat, speak, swallow and even pull silly faces. Your tongue is covered with a blanket of tiny nodules referred to as papillae (taste buds) and when it is healthy, it should be pink right to the back of the mouth.

There are four over-arching tongue problems that one might develop and our panel of Sun City dental professionals will be discussing them in detail throughout this four-part article series:

• “Strawberry” Tongue or Red Tongue
• White Tongue
• Black Hairy Tongue
• Sore and Bumpy Tongue
  

Let’s begin with the first…

Sun City Dental Advice: What Can Cause “Strawberry” or Red Tongue?

“A healthy tongue is a nice pink color,” say Sun City dental professionals. “But, there are a number of reasons it can become red and inflamed and for the papillae or taste buds to become swollen. This is why it is sometimes referred to as Strawberry tongue.”

Some of the causes of red tongue include:

• Scarlet Fever: An infectious disease characterized by fever, a sore throat and a red rash, hence the name. It can also cause the tongue to turn an angry shade of red. Scarlet fever typically affects young children between the age of 4 and 8 and is spread via inhalation. While there is no cure for this sickness, it can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

• Geographic Tongue: This uncomfortable condition causes the development of a network of red and, at times, white-bordered spots on the tongue. Also known as benign migratory glossitis, this condition is named after the fact that these spots develop in a pattern that looks somewhat map-like and can also shift positions.
  

  “Geographic tongue is typically harmless, although it can be uncomfortable and aesthetically unpleasing,” say Sun City dental professionals. “However, if the red bumps persist for more than two weeks, you should book an appointment with your dentist to make sure that you do indeed have this condition and not something more serious. Discomfort can be treated with topical anesthetic gels.”

• Kawasaki Syndrome: A condition that affects the blood vessels in the body and especially targets children younger than 5 years of age. It can cause fever, strawberry tongue and red, swollen feet and hands during the more severe phase of illness.

• Vitamin Deficiencies: “If your diet is short of vitamin B-12 or folic acid, your tongue may appear redder than normal,” say Sun City dentists.
  

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about the various conditions and illnesses that can affect your tongue, stay tuned for part 2 of this four-part article series! Next time, we’ll be looking at the problems that can cause white tongue.

This four-part article series sets out explaining and dispelling the many common myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health and hygiene and certain dental procedures.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which we get Sun City dentists to explain and bust the various myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health, hygiene and dental treatment. In our previous article post, the second installment of the series, it was explained that it’s not sugar that causes cavities per se, but rather oral bacteria. These tiny critters feast upon the sugars left behind in your mouth after a meal and their subsequent proliferation and nasty excretions lead to cavities, decay and gum disease. It was also explained that osteoporosis, while a disease that affects the bones, can also lead to tooth loss, which is why proper nutrition and the correct medical management are so important.

Let’s continue busting the myths!

Dental Myth # 5: Using toothpicks actually causes the gaps between your teeth to become wider.

The Facts: “There are only two things we really want patients to know about toothpicks,” say Sun City dentists. “One… that using a toothpick after a meal should NOT replace brushing and flossing; toothpicks are there to clean bits of debris out from between your teeth to relieve discomfort and to prevent you from embarrassing yourself. Two… you must be careful not to injure your gums when poking about between your teeth. Toothpicks are quite sharp and you can actually make yourself bleed.”

Beyond these two points, there is nothing more to be said. Toothpicks do not widen the gaps between your teeth. How can they? They’re made of soft wood and your teeth are made out of the strongest substance in your body! Your teeth are also rooted firmly in your jaw, so it’ll take more than a toothpick or even a lifetime’s worth of toothpicks to affect their positioning.

Dental Myth # 6: If your breath smells bad, it means you’re not brushing properly

The Facts: “True, bad breath is most commonly the result of poor brushing habits and sloppy oral hygiene, but not always,” say dental implants specialists in Sun City. “Bad breath can actually be an indicator of systemic disease, such as diabetes. It can also be caused by the food you eat, respiratory tract infections and certain habits, such as smoking and drinking (alcohol).”

In the case of diabetes, the common side effect of halitosis is a result of the body burning fat instead of sugar for fuel (since diabetics, who do not produce enough insulin, are unable to process glucose). The byproducts of fat being burned are ketones, which are either expelled from the body via the bladder or via respiration. Unfortunately, ketones don’t smell very nice, which explains the halitosis.

The Solution: If you suspect that you may suffer from chronic bad breath, the best thing you can do for yourself is schedule an appointment with your Sun City dentist. Explain to him or her your problem and they will look closely for the cause. If your teeth and gums are in good condition and you maintain a high standard of oral hygiene, you may need to go see your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis. If you are a diabetic, you will need to use extra care in looking after your teeth and perhaps carry around some sugar-free chewing gum for those up-close-and-personal social situations.

Stay Tuned

To read more dental myths and misconceptions join us next week for the final installment of this four-part article series, courtesy of Sun City dentists.