What Makes the Tongue So Special?

The tongue is a muscular organ covered with tiny bumps called papillae, which house taste buds and allow us to savor the flavors of life. It’s also a key player in speech and helps move food around the mouth during chewing. Beneath its surface, the tongue is teeming with life—millions of bacteria, both good and bad, that influence oral and overall health.

Bacteria on the Tongue: Friend or Foe?

The tongue’s textured surface provides an ideal habitat for bacteria to thrive. These bacteria fall into two categories:

1. Beneficial Bacteria: These microbes help break down food particles and contribute to a balanced oral microbiome, which is vital for overall health.
2. Harmful Bacteria: These can lead to bad breath (halitosis), tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues when left unchecked.

Research has shown that the tongue harbors the majority of the bacteria in the mouth—up to 80% of oral bacteria reside here. If not cleaned properly, this bacterial buildup can form a biofilm, contributing to unpleasant odors and potential health complications. Read more about tongue bacteria.

Why Cleaning Your Tongue Matters

Regularly cleaning your tongue can significantly improve your oral health. Here’s why it’s essential:

1. Prevents Bad Breath

Halitosis is often caused by the buildup of bacteria on the tongue, which produce foul-smelling sulfur compounds. Cleaning your tongue removes this bacteria, keeping your breath fresh.

2. Reduces Risk of Oral Diseases

Harmful bacteria on the tongue can migrate to the teeth and gums, contributing to cavities, gingivitis, and even periodontal disease. Keeping the tongue clean helps mitigate these risks.

3. Improves Taste Perception

A coated tongue can dull your sense of taste by blocking your taste buds. Regular cleaning clears the coating, allowing you to fully enjoy your food.

4. Supports Overall Health

Oral bacteria have been linked to systemic issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. By managing tongue bacteria, you’re taking a step toward better overall health.

How to Clean Your Tongue Effectively

Cleaning your tongue doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some of the best methods:

1. Using a Tongue Scraper

A tongue scraper is a tool specifically designed to remove debris and bacteria from the tongue’s surface. To use:

• Place it at the back of your tongue.
• Gently pull it forward, rinsing the scraper after each pass.

2. Brushing Your Tongue

If you don’t have a tongue scraper, a toothbrush can also do the job.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or one with built-in tongue-cleaning ridges.
• Apply a small amount of toothpaste and gently brush your tongue from back to front.

3. Mouthwash

An antimicrobial mouthwash can help reduce bacterial buildup on your tongue. While it won’t physically remove debris, it can complement tongue scraping or brushing.

4. Specialized Tongue Brushes

Tongue brushes are designed with bristles that target the tongue’s unique texture more effectively than standard toothbrushes.

Tips for Effective Tongue Cleaning

1. Be Gentle: The tongue is sensitive, so avoid applying too much pressure to prevent irritation or injury.
2. Clean Daily: Make tongue cleaning a daily habit as part of your oral hygiene routine.
3. Stay Hydrated: A dry mouth can encourage bacterial growth, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
4. Don’t Forget the Back: The rear of the tongue is where bacteria tend to accumulate the most, so ensure you reach this area while cleaning.

Signs You Might Need to Clean Your Tongue More Often

If you experience any of the following, it may be time to step up your tongue-cleaning game:

• Persistent bad breath
• A whitish or yellowish coating on your tongue
• A reduced sense of taste
• Recurrent oral infections

Final Thoughts

Your tongue deserves as much care and attention as your teeth and gums. Cleaning it regularly not only enhances your oral health but also supports your overall well-being. Whether you use a scraper, a toothbrush, or a tongue brush, the key is consistency. Make tongue cleaning a daily habit, and you’ll enjoy fresher breath, a cleaner mouth, and a healthier you.

To come see our friendly team for your routine check-up and scale and polish Book online today.

So, the next time you brush your teeth, don’t forget to show your tongue some love. Your mouth and your body will thank you for it.

What Is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety refers to the nervousness or fear associated with visiting the dentist. It can range from mild unease to a deep fear that prevents individuals from receiving necessary care. Ignoring dental visits due to anxiety, however, can lead to more serious oral health problems in the long run.

Fortunately, modern dentistry offers numerous ways to make your experience more relaxed and stress-free.

Signs of Dental Anxiety

How do you know if you’re experiencing dental anxiety? Some common signs include:

• Sweating, increased heart rate, or feeling physically tense.
• Trouble sleeping the night before a dental appointment.
• Feeling nauseous or lightheaded when thinking about the dentist.
• Canceling or postponing appointments due to fear.
• Panic attacks at the thought of dental procedures.

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone— a lot of people experience some form of dental anxiety.

Tip 1: Communicate Your Fears

The first step to overcoming dental anxiety is letting your dentist know about your fears. A good dental practice will be understanding and tailor your visit to ease your concerns. Discussing your anxieties allows the dentist to offer reassurance and adjust their approach, whether that’s by explaining the process more thoroughly or taking breaks during the procedure.

             Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Understanding what’s happening can reduce feelings of uncertainty and fear.

 Tip 2: Sedation Options

For those with severe anxiety, dental sedation is a game-changer. Dentists offer several types of sedation to make your visit as comfortable as possible:

1. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

This mild sedative helps you feel relaxed while remaining conscious. It’s inhaled through a mask, and the effects wear off quickly, so you can even drive home after your appointment.

2. Oral Sedation

Oral sedation involves taking a pill before your appointment to help calm your nerves. Depending on the dose, you may feel drowsy but will still be awake during the procedure. See link for more info about what we offer at Ponsonby A&E Dental: Dental Sedations

3. IV Sedation

For more intense anxiety or complex procedures, IV sedation provides a deeper level of relaxation. You’ll be semi-conscious but likely won’t remember much of the procedure.

4. General Anesthesia

In rare cases, such as for patients with extreme fear or during major dental surgeries, general anesthesia may be administered, putting you to sleep for the entire procedure.

Note: Always discuss your sedation options with your dentist beforehand to find the right solution for your level of anxiety.

Tip 3: Use Relaxation Techniques

In addition to sedation, there are several calming techniques you can practice before and during your dental appointment to help ease anxiety:

• Breathing Exercises: Deep, controlled breathing can significantly reduce anxiety. Try breathing in for four seconds, holding for four seconds, and exhaling for four seconds.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Focus on relaxing one muscle group at a time, starting from your toes and working your way up to your head. This helps alleviate physical tension.
• Listening to Music or Podcasts: Bringing headphones to listen to your favorite music or a calming podcast can distract your mind and create a sense of relaxation.
• Visualization: Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a peaceful place, like the beach or a forest. Visualization can shift your focus from the dental procedure to something calming.

Tip 4: Bring a Comfort Item or Support Person

Some people find comfort in bringing a familiar object, like a stress ball or blanket, to their appointment. Others may feel more at ease with a friend or family member by their side. Many dental offices allow patients to bring a support person to sit with them during the procedure.

Tip 5: Choose a Dentist Who Specializes in Treating Anxious Patients

Some dentists specialize in treating patients with dental anxiety, offering extra attention and care to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Look for practices that emphasize patient comfort and provide special accommodations for anxious individuals.

         Pro Tip: Check online reviews or ask for recommendations to find a dentist known for their compassionate care.

Tip 6: Schedule Appointments at the Right Time

Book your dental appointment at a time when you feel most relaxed. For some, this may be in the morning before the stress of the day sets in. Avoid booking during times of high personal stress or after a busy day when your anxiety may be heightened.

Tip 7: Build a Relationship with Your Dentist

Over time, building trust with your dentist can significantly reduce dental anxiety. A dentist who listens, understands your fears, and offers reassurance can make a world of difference. Regular check-ups also help reduce fear by making the dentist’s office a more familiar and less intimidating environment.

Final Thoughts

Dental anxiety is real, but it doesn’t have to keep you from receiving the care you need. By communicating your fears, exploring sedation options, and using relaxation techniques, you can make your next dental visit a much more positive experience.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, talk to our team. We’re here to support you and ensure your visit is as comfortable and stress-free as possible!

Ready to Conquer Your Fear?

Contact us today to schedule an anxiety-free dental appointment. We’ll help you get the care you need while keeping you relaxed and calm.

Book online today

What is saliva?

Saliva is an extracellular clear liquid produced by several salivary glands in your mouth. The salivary glands sit inside each cheek, at the bottom of your mouth, and near your front teeth. Saliva plays an important part in having a healthy body. It is mostly made of water, but also contains important substances that your body needs to digest food and other nutrients to keep your teeth strong. Healthy saliva is slightly acidic, ranging from about 6-7ph. This allows saliva to do its job of breaking down food and a buffer between your teeth and plaque build-up.

Benefits of saliva

• Saliva keeps your mouth moist.
• Helps you chew, taste, and swallow.
• Fights germs in your mouth and it prevents bad breath.
• Has proteins and minerals that protect your tooth enamel and prevent your teeth from decay and gum disease.

Function of saliva

Beginning the digestive system- Chewing and swallowing begins the digestion stage, but would not work without saliva. As you chew, the saliva in your mouth binds food particles together, that easily enters the oesophagus. The more you chew, the more saliva you make. The enzyme amylase breaks down food particles into simpler compounds, which is the first step to digesting food. The compounds in saliva also protect your throat and oesophagus from what would otherwise irritate or damage the sensitive tissue.

Tasting- Molecules in food that taste of distinct flavours must first be solubilized, or made more dissolvable before you can actually taste your food. Your saliva interacts with taste buds to unmask the tastes offered by different foods.

Clearing food debris- Saliva cleans away food debris in your mouth. When you have a good saliva flow, food particles are less likely to collect and ferment on your teeth or other areas of your oral cavity.

• Time

Brushing for a short period of time is better than not brushing at all, but it is not a good habit to get into. The recommended time for brushing is two minutes each morning and night. A thirty-second brush will not do a satisfactory job removing food debris and plaque. Over time minimal brushing could lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems. If needed, set a timer on your phone so you get in your full two minutes of brushing, or you could consider an electric toothbrush that has a built-in timer.

• Sharing is NOT caring

Although it may seem like a kind gesture and the right thing to do sharing your toothbrush, it really is not a great idea. Sharing your toothbrush is a good example of a bad habit that can negatively affect your oral health. The discussion among couples over whether or not sharing a toothbrush is gross, well we are here today to tell you that it is absolutely something to be avoided. It is best to let everyone use their own. Sharing a toothbrush with someone leaves you vulnerable to all sorts of oral and general problems. Viruses like the flu can stay alive on a surface for multiple hours and sharing a toothbrush with someone who has an oral infection can cause you to develop the same.

• Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head

A common error people make is that they do not replace their toothbrush or toothbrush head often enough. A toothbrush or toothbrush head only has a lifespan of about three months or showing signs of wear, but many people use theirs for a lot longer than this. If the bristles are worn and are fraying then they do not do a thorough job clearing plaque and food debris away. This means you are not getting the deep clean your teeth and mouth really needs. Most dentists recommend using the change of seasons as a cue to get a new toothbrush or toothbrush head.

• Overdoing it

Another common error people make is brushing too hard. While it may seem like brushing with a firm grip and harsh strokes gets plaque and foods debris away, it can essentially wear away your protective layer of enamel and cause gums to recede. Even and gentle strokes are best to ensure you are clearing away all the plaque while also treating your teeth with kindness. Avoid firm bristled toothbrushes or toothbrush heads as these can cause more damage than good. We recommend a soft-bristled or sensitive head toothbrush, as these are just right for clearing away plaque and food.

Facts about whiter and brighter teeth

1. There are many factors that influence the whiteness of your teeth. If the build-up of plaque is not removed regularly by brushing and flossing your teeth, it becomes hard and forms calculus (also known as tartar) and can affect the colour of your teeth.
2. Food and drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine can stain your teeth over time, as well as smoking. Genetics may also influence how bright your teeth are. You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the coloured foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discolouration and staining.
3. The natural colour and genetic makeup of an individual’s teeth are set at birth. Some people may have staining under the surface. This can be caused by some antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth, which absorb stains.
4. Professional bleaching is the most usual method of tooth whitening. The ‘active ingredient’ in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient is broken down, oxygen gets into the enamel on the teeth and the tooth colour is made lighter.
5. Tooth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour and won’t be able to get rid of deep stains. The effects of whitening will vary from person-to-person. Continuously eating coloured foods and drinks as well as smoking, it is possible that the whitening will not last as long, so taking care of your teeth is still very important.

Teeth whitening potentially damage’s your tooth enamel? This is a myth that continues to haunt our profession. Overusing whitening products past its recommended dosage can be harmful. We recommend asking your dentist about a wide range of whitening products. Currently here at Ponsonby A&E Dental, we offer to have whitening trays made custom for your mouth. The trays hold the whitening product and for those sensitive patients, can also hold fluoride gel. With all the whitening options your dentist gives you, it is a guarantee that you can find a SAFE product that will brighten your pearly whites by New Year!

A professional teeth clean starts with a dental examination

A dentist can perform teeth cleaning, but mostly it is performed by a dental hygienist. They begin with a dental examination of your oral cavity, by checking for signs of inflamed gums, oral cancer and any other dental issues. Teeth cleaning involves, getting rid of the build-up of calculus from your teeth. This is to prevent cavities and gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. Dental hygienists can remove the build-up of calculus, which patients cannot do on their own at home. Professional teeth cleaning also include debridement and tooth polishing. If there is too much calculus, debridement is mandatory. Using an ultrasonic scaler as well as hand scaler’s, the dental hygienist/dentist removes the calculus and plaque between the teeth and around the gum line. The process will take longer if you have a lot of calculus on your teeth. Flossing and brushing regularly keeps plaque from building up and hardening.

Toothpaste cleaning

After removing all of the calculus, the hygienist/dentist brushes your teeth with a special toothpaste. You will find the consistency to be somewhat gritty but other than that, it tastes and smells just like normal toothpaste. Teeth cleaning is called prophylaxis and cannot be done at home. Even with very careful brushing and flossing, you face the risk of developing problems. This is mostly in areas that are hard to reach with regular brushing.

Flossing and rinsing

Even regular flossing at home, can not beat the professional procedure. Your dental hygienist/dentist can reach between the teeth and find issues like gum bleeding. They also remove any leftover toothpaste or plaque from earlier in the cleaning process. Then, the dental hygienist/dentist will get you to rinse your mouth out using a liquid fluoride-containing product to eliminate any residual debris.

Twice yearly

A professional teeth cleaning is done twice yearly. Dentists recommend getting some x-rays done once a year. Further, an examination might be recommended depending on their findings. A dental hygienist and dentist might recommend molar sealants for children. This prevents cavities in parts that are difficult to brush.

Final step

Dental professionals place fluoride paste on high-risk patients to protect the teeth so that you don’t develop cavities, at least in the near future. This product is a paste, which the hygienist/dentist paints on your teeth with a small micro brush and floss between your teeth. It stays on your teeth for about a minute. When it comes into contact with saliva, it gets harder. It is recommended that you do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after it has been applied.

To prevent problems from occurring, you need to have professional teeth cleaning done regularly. Ponsonby A&E Dental is proud to offer this service.