Maintaining proper oral hygiene implies caring for your teeth and gums, and paying attention to your tongue. Dirty tongue, also known as Saburra lingualis may be caused by various reasons. The causes and consequences of dirty tongue must be fully understood to avoid its appearance. From DentalOne, our dental clinic in Panama, we will explain in detail the causes and possible consequences behind this phenomenon, and give you practical advice on avoiding that inconvenience.
What is and why should we be concern about Dirty Tongue?
Dirty tongue is not only an aesthetic matter, it goes beyond appearance. It refers accumulating bacteria and debris on the tongue surface, which can lead to bad breath problems, dental decay and other oral complications. This bacteria buildup is often caused by improper dental cleanliness during daily brushing.
Consequences of inadequate tooth-brushing and dirty tongue
Dirty tongue may transform on a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can affect oral health in many ways. We will explore the most common consequences of neglecting to clean your tongue.
Breath odor
Unpleasant breath odor, known as halitosis, often result from a dirty tongue. Bacteria accumulating on the tongue breaks down food debris, generating sulfur compounds responsible for the unpleasant smell. Keeping the tongue clean is essential to avoid this problem and ensure fresh and pleasant breath.
Caries and related dental problems
Bacteria accumulation on the tongue affect breath freshness and may contribute to the development of cavities. Those bacteria can be transferred to teeth during ingestion of food or beverages increasing the risk of dental decay or cavities. Thus, preventing a dirty tongue is crucial to keep a healthy smile.
Causes of saburra lingualis or white tongue
Saburra or white tongue is not an underlying condition, it is a symptom of many possible causes. Regardless of the cause of white tongue, inadequate dental care and poor diet will worsen symptoms and increase the likelihood of developing other dental problems.
Some risk factors that increase the probabilities of having white tongue are:
Poor oral hygiene – Book your appointment for a dental cleaning now
Some types of medicines, including antibiotics
Alcohol consumption, cigars and other tobacco products, as well as some illegal drugs.
Some chronic health conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, and syphilis.
Some oral health affections such as leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, geographic tongue, and oral candidiasis
A weakened inmuno system.
Oral trauma
Tongue and lips piercings
Cancer treatments
Dehydration and dry mouth (also known as xerostomia)
Boost your tongue hygiene using a tongue scraper
Tongue hygiene is fundamental. Professionals recommend using the tongue scraper to effectively clean the tongue, an object that each individual should include in their usual hygiene routines.
Just like dental floss and interdental brushes help with the proper teeth prophylaxis of teeth and gums, similarly tongue scrapers or tongue cleaners are specifically designed to a primary function: Cleaning the tongue
As it is known, the back of the tongue has roughness and grooves, so using the scraper is the best option to remove accumulated food debris.
Tongue scrapers are easy to find and can be bought in pharmacies, supermarkets and online stores.
There various brands and models for tongue scrapers and you may be confused on which one to choose. In case of doubt just ask your trusted dental hygienist, he will know which is the best for you according to your tongue anatomy.
How is the tongue scraper used? When should it be used?
Using the tongue scraper is very easy. However, it is advisable to know certain things before using it for the first time ensuring the cleaning is effective and the tongue can be cleaned without gagging.
First, wash the scraper to remove any dirt or bacteria on it. Then, place it on the tongue near the throat. It is at this point when some individuals experience nausea when using it for the first time, which is normal because it is a reflex act.
Once you have place it, start scraping gently with movements from inside out, from the tongue’s deepest area toward the tip.
For an efficient and adequate tongue cleaning, repeat the scraping action several times using water to rinse the scraper between each scraping. Once the tongue is cleaned rinse the mouth with water and spit out the liquid.
Frequently asked questions about Dirty tongue
Why is my tongue white?
There are several reasons why your tongue may look whitish. Most cases are not very serious and come mainly from poor oral hygiene. However, it can also be due to conditions such as HIV, hypothyroidism, and oral thrush.
How can I get rid of white tongue?
Many cases disappear by themselves. Maintaining a good oral hygiene, restraining smoking or excessive alcohol and following a balance diet will help to quickly remove the white tongue.
What does it mean to have a white tongue?
A white tongue is usually a sign of inadequate oral hygiene. The tongue has a whitist aspect due to the accumulation of bacteria, fungus or food residues attached to the inflamed lingual papillae.
Is it serious to have a white tongue?
Most cases are not serious and disappear by implementing good oral hygiene and using antibacterial mouthwashes. However, it is always advisable to consult a dentist if the symptoms persist, as white patches on the tongue could be caused by other underlying medical conditions.
