9 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About the Tongue | 68771 Dentist

best dentist near me

We use our tongues every day to talk, taste, and swallow, yet we rarely take time to think about this flexible organ. Here are 9 things you may not know about the tongue:

  1. The longest recorded tongue was more than 3.8 inches from back to tip; the widest measured over 3” across.
  2. The human tongue contains 8 separate muscles intertwined.
  3. A blue whale tongue weighs about 5,400 pounds and is roughly the size of an adult elephant!
  4. Tongues come in many shapes and have varying numbers of taste buds. This makes a human tongue imprint as unique as a fingerprint.
  5. The average person has about 10,000 taste buds in their mouth.
  6. A single taste bud contains between 50 and 100 taste cells, which may have sensors for multiple tastes.
  7. No individual taste cell can identify both bitter and sweet flavors.
  8. 1 milliliter of saliva contains about 1,000,000 bacteria.
  9. Using a tongue scraper to clean your tongue is proven to help prevent osteoporosis, pneumonia, heart attacks, premature births, diabetes, and male infertility.

Health issues involving the tongue are most commonly caused by bacteria or tobacco use. Proper cleaning of the tongue can help prevent these conditions from developing. However, if you notice sores, discoloration, or other symptoms, contact our office.

Some tongue-affecting illnesses include:

  • Leukoplakia – excessive cell growth characterized by white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. It is not dangerous, but can be a precursor to oral cancer.
  • Oral thrush – an oral yeast infection common after antibiotic use, often characterized by cottage-cheese like white patches on the surface of the tongue and mouth.
  • Red tongue – may be caused by a deficiency of folic acid and/or vitamin B-12.
  • Hairy tongue – black and/or hairy-feeling tongue can be caused by build-up of bacteria.
  • Canker sores – small ulcerous sores on the tongue, often associated with stress. These sores are not the same as cold sores and are not contagious.
  • Oral cancer – most sore tongue issues are not serious. However, if you have a sore or lump on your tongue that does not heal within a week or two, schedule a screening.

For more information about the tongue or to schedule a screening with our doctor, contact our office in Randolph, NE.

Family 1st Dental of Randolph
Phone: (402) 337-0089
105 West Broadway Street
Randolph, NE 68771

Return to Blog Articles

Visit Our Randolph Dental Office

Randolph Location

105 Broadway,
Randolph, NE 68771

(402) 337-0089

Bernecker

Our Dental News

Randolph dentist, dentist near me, dentist in Randolph NE

Do You Brush Your Teeth Too Much? | Dentist Randolph, NE

Brushing your teeth is a vital step in maintaining good oral health. However, is there such a thing as over-brushing?  The American Dental Association recommends you brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day. People sometimes brush after every […]

Learn More
Randolph dentist, dentist near me, dentist in Randolph NE

Decrease Your Odds of Hypertension | Dentist Randolph

You may be unaware of how your oral health can be an indicator of your overall health.  The warning signs of systemic health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can often be found by during a routine examination at […]

Learn More
Randolph dentist, dentist near me, dentist in Randolph NE

Chew on This: Foods for Healthy Teeth | Dentist Near Me

No time to brush or floss your teeth? When brushing or flossing isn’t convenient, you can still keep your mouth feeling fresh by eating certain foods. When you’re on the go or in a hurry, try grabbing one of these […]

Learn More