The tongue is a remarkable part of the human body. Sure, it’s great for eating ice cream or singing that “la la la” part in your favorite song, but the tongue does so much more than that.
What does your tongue say about your health? Did you know you can taste on the sides of your tongue and on top of it? Do you know how to clean your tongue properly? How long are human tongues?
A healthy tongue is an important part of a healthy mouth. The Center for Pediatric Dental Health wants you to have a healthy tongue. So here are a few fun facts about your tongue, including some tongue facts on how to keep it happy and healthy.
What Does the Tongue Do?
What does the tongue do for you? We know the obvious — it’s the body part responsible for our sense of taste. It also allows us to speak. But what else does the tongue do, and what other fun facts about the tongue can we learn?
Is the Tongue a Muscle?
Yes! It’s one of the strongest muscles in your body. It’s true! However, you don’t need to lift weights to keep this muscle strong. It’s a multitasker, which keeps it busy!
The Tongue Does More Than Most Muscles
The tongue is incredibly flexible. How else can you trill those Rs and tie a cherry stem? Most muscles have one main task — to move a certain body part a certain way.
The tongue is made up of eight flexible muscles combined into one that can do everything from eating to speaking. It’s a powerful, versatile muscle!
How Many Tongue Taste Buds
Humans have up to 10,000 taste buds on the surface of the tongue that regenerate every couple of weeks. This keeps our sense of taste fresh throughout most of our lives. However, as we get older, some of those taste buds die off and don’t return. Our sense of taste fades as our taste buds drop to about 5,000.
Where Are the Taste Buds?
Your taste buds are all over your tongue, from the tip to the sides to the very back. You even have taste buds in other areas, such as the back of the throat, the epiglottis, and the soft palate.
Taste buds in different areas of your tongue are more sensitive to certain tastes. The taste receptors on the front edges of your tongue taste salty, while the taste buds just behind it on the top recognize sweet.
Sour tastes stimulate the back sides of the tongue, while the back tastes bitter best. What about savory, also referred to as umami? That flavor is tasted best in the middle of the tongue.
How Does Your Tongue Say Anything?
What is your tongue made of? We’ve mentioned that it’s actually made up of eight muscles combined into one. How does this help you talk? These muscles provide multiple movements that allow the tongue to move in all kinds of directions, as opposed to one or two directions like many muscles in your body.
This flexibility allows your tongue to form sounds with your palate, teeth, and lips. Recite the alphabet slowly, noting what the tongue does with each letter. You’ll feel it curl at the sides, raise up to touch the back of the palate, touch the front teeth, and even drop down for sounds like “o.” Your tongue’s flexibility, straight teeth, and a healthy mouth help make speech easier for you.
How Long Are Human Tongues?
The human tongue is about 3 inches long. On average, men have slightly longer tongues (3.3 inches) than women (3.1 inches).
Nick Stoeberl holds the current record for the longest tongue. It measures 3.97 inches!
What Does a Healthy Tongue Look Like?
A healthy tongue looks pink with normal-sized taste buds. Have you ever had a swollen taste bud? This could be caused by a burn, spicy food, or accidentally biting your tongue when you eat. They usually disappear on their own.
What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Health?
It’s important to know what your tongue says about your health. Changes in your tongue could indicate health issues.
For example, a bright red tongue could indicate you have an infection. A white coating on the tongue could be a sign of dehydration, a yeast infection from certain medications, or a COVID-19 infection. If the tongue is covered with yellow film, it could be oral thrush.
If your tongue looks unhealthy, it could indicate underlying health conditions. A trip to the doctor may be a good idea.
Bacteria on the Tongue
Dentists talk a lot about bacteria on your teeth and gums that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. But did you know that the same bacteria can hang out on your tongue? You can have up to 20 billion bacteria in your mouth at any given time, with 500-650 species hanging out there!
Cleaning Your Tongue
How do you keep all that bacteria in check? Brushing and flossing help your teeth but brushing can also help your tongue. Once you’ve brushed your teeth, stick your tongue out and give it a light scrub with your toothbrush.
A tongue scraper or tongue scrubber can also help keep your tongue clean. You can find these tools at most pharmacies or major retailers. Mouthwash can also help kill bacteria on your tongue. Be sure not to eat or drink anything right after using the mouthwash to give it time to work properly!
Better Oral Health in Sicklerville, NJ
A healthy tongue is important to your oral health. It’s just as important to keep your tongue clean as it is to keep your teeth and gums clean. Bacteria can get onto your teeth and gums from your tongue.
Is your child having tongue issues? If so, see a dentist in Mount Laurel, Sicklerville, or Woolwich Township, NJ, by scheduling an appointment with the Center for Pediatric Dental Health. We’re happy to help!
