As health professionals, we know that Rockford, MI dentists diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums, but we sometimes overlook the importance of the tongue.
Have you ever considered all the amazing things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow. This strong and nimble gymnast is in near-constant motion during our waking hours. It is a wonder that we don’t accidentally bite it more often as we smile, chew, drink, breathe, swallow, cough, and laugh.
Your tongue can also reveal problems with your health, including digestive problems, infections, and diseases of the blood.
When Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull perform oral exams, the tongue is always checked for signs of oral cancer and other serious diseases.
Here are some tongue abnormalities and possible causes:
- Swollen tongue: reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
- White tongue: dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia or other nutritional deficiency
- Canker sores: may be triggered by stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.
If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try eliminating products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products. It can be difficult to find SLS-free dental products in Belmont, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI. The following brands have previously offered SLS-free versions but check labels carefully every time you buy a new tube.
If you can’t find an SLS-free toothpaste at your local grocery store, we would suggest trying health food stores, specialty drug stores, or trusted online sites.
Many of our Rockford, MI patients have asked about tongue-scraping. We recommend thorough dental hygiene including cleaning the tongue. To schedule a consultation to discuss any dental health issues, please call our office at 616-784-2377.
Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull DDS
Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry
We can whiten, brighten, and straighten your smile!
