Tongue Traits That Tell The Truth

Your tongue plays an important role in your development. Beginning in your infant years, licking everything from the floor to your Mom, to your teen years with your first kiss, or even a daring taste of spicy food.

But did you know your tongue can tell you a lot about your oral and overall health?

White Patches

Irritation from smoking or tobacco use can cause a condition called Leukoplakia. This appears in the form of white patches on your tongue. While they are often nothing to worry about it is important to have those white patches checked by your dentist for oral cancer.

Hairy

A protein build-up can cause small bumps to become elongated trapping food resulting in what looks like strands of hair on your tongue. Typically a good brushing or tongue scraping will take care of it, but if it doesn’t, it’s time to see your dentist.

Overly Red

This is most commonly associated with a vitamin deficiency, such as folic acid or B-12. The solution could be as easy as taking a multivitamin in the morning. Rarely an overly red tongue can be an indicator of Kawasaki disease.

White Coating

Our tongues are supposed to be a shade of pink. When there is a white coating all over it there could be two main causes. First is that you aren’t brushing your tongue well enough. Second, if you are brushing daily and the white coating isn’t coming off it is likely oral thrush.

Tender or Sore

If your tongue feels tender or sore all over you could be having an allergic reaction. Soreness in one spot only could indicate an oncoming canker sore. Soreness should clear up on its own but if it persists it might be time to call us to book your next appointment.

Denture Care – What You’re Doing Right and Wrong

A denture can help your smile look and feel its best. But what happens when you aren’t caring for it properly? A poorly cared for denture can lead to bad breath, infection, and your appliance becoming misshapen.

How to Properly Store Dentures

The American Dental Association recommends storing your dentures in cold water or cleaning solution overnight. Solutions may prevent fungal build-up, bacteria, and foul odors. Make sure to always follow the directions on the package, and to never place your dentures in HOT water as it may can cause your appliance to warp.

Always be sure to rinse your appliance before putting them back in your mouth, especially if they have been in a cleaning solution. The chemicals in this type of solution can cause burns, pain and vomiting if swallowed.

Do

Keep your dentures moist when they aren’t in your mouth. The can dry out and lose their shape

Brush and rinse your appliances regularly like you would with your natural teeth

Place the container that holds your dentures somewhere safe where it won’t be knocked over. This will help you avoid dropping your dentures onto a hard surface where they can break.

Go back to your dentist if they no longer feel comfortable in your mouth

Don’t

Χ    Leave your dentures in overnight. This can cause bad breath and plaque build up

Χ    Place them in boiling water to clean them. This can cause them to become misshapen

Χ    Use hard bristle tooth brushes or abrasive toothpaste to clean them. Always be sure to use a denture friendly brush

Χ    Use any whitening products or bleaching agents on your appliance. This can damage them

It only takes a few minutes to clean and store your dentures every night to make sure you’ll have clean, fresh, comfortable dentures to wear the next day. Additionally, storing your dentures correctly means that you’re prolonging their life. Follow your dentist’s instructions on denture storage, and if you’re unsure about anything, ask for advice.

Please call us if you have any questions

School snacks for healthy teeth

With the return to school fast approaching our office sees the improvement in your child’s oral health. No more all-day summer snacking and slurping back sugary drinks.

The snacks you send in your child’s lunch can help keep their smile healthy all year long.

School Snacks, Dentist Approved:

  • Fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables. They’re high in fiber and will help fill up hungry tummies. Bonus: chewing crisp fruits and veggies can scrub away food particles and plaque.
    • While citrus fruits, such as oranges, and grapefruit are healthy and delicious,  citrus fruits contain citric acid which can cause enamel erosion. Moderation is important!
  • Unsalted and low-salt nuts, such as almonds or walnuts.
  • A lunch meat and cheese roll up.
  • Cottage cheese or low-sugar yogurt. Both are excellent sources of calcium and vitamin D, which promote healthy bones and teeth!
  • Peanut Butter (especially natural) is packed with fiber and protein. Spread on celery stalks, apple slices, or on wraps with bananas.
  • Small cubes of cheese. Especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses. These cheeses trigger the flow of saliva which helps to wash food particles away from teeth.
  • Choose water instead of soda or juice!

Uh-Oh! School Snacks to Avoid:

  Dried fruit, fruit leathers and fruit snacks
Not only are they loaded with sugar, but these snacks are gooey and sticky and cling to the surface of teeth and gums.

  • Energy, protein or granola bars
    These may seem like a good choice, but they are very similar to candy bars in the amount of sugar and calories. Many contain sticky dried fruit that cling to teeth  long after the snack is eaten.
  • Cracker snacks
    White flour crackers like goldfish, graham crackers, and bagel chips also stick to teeth. These types of crackers contain carbohydrates that turn into sugar when broken down. Try healthier alternatives like whole grain crackers and triscuits.
  • Sports drinks
    Sports drinks contain extra calories and high levels of sugar, almost as much as soda. They are also  acidic and can contribute to enamel erosion.

Call today for your back-to-school cleaning!