How to Have a Healthy Tongue

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A healthy tongue is an essential part of a healthy mouth. To make sure that yours is in tip-top shape, you can add some simple habits to your daily dental routine. Throughout the day, eat and drink things that help produce more saliva. If you do notice a problem, you can take care of it through over-the-counter and homemade remedies, although you should always seek the advice of a doctor or dentist first. Soon, your tongue will feel hydrated and strong.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Practicing Proper Tongue Hygiene and Care

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  1. The best way to encourage a healthy tongue is to have a healthy mouth. Adopting good dental habits will protect your tongue as well as your gums and teeth. [1] Make these skills a daily habit:
    • Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft or medium bristled toothbrush, and brush for at least two minutes at a time. [2] You can also use an electric toothbrush, but always make sure you improve your brushing technique so you can maintain healthy gums.
    • Floss at least once a day. Use 18 inches of floss, and work the floss around each individual tooth. [3]
    • Rinse with water or mouthwash after flossing. If you suffer from dry mouth, use an alcohol free mouthwash.
    • Rinse dentures after eating, and brush them at least once a day to reduce the amount of bacteria which may cause mouth ulcers or other mucosal irritation.
    • If flossing is painful or difficult, you can use a water flosser instead, such as a waterpik. A flushes out the spaces between your teeth and around your gums with water. You can add mouthwash to the water used for the waterpik for increased protection against bacteria. They're just as effective, if not more, than traditional flossing. [4]
  2. When you brush your teeth as normal, you should also brush your tongue to remove bacteria that can cause tooth decay or bad breath. Using a brush with soft to medium bristles, move your toothbrush gently across the top surface of your tongue going from back to front. [5]
    • If brushing your tongue provokes your gag reflex, you can try leaning your head forward as you brush. You might also want to use a smaller toothbrush to minimize your discomfort. [6]
    • If you have a sore in your mouth, be careful as you brush. Avoid brushing the sore itself, and do not use a toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate. Sores will normally go away on their own. [7]
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  3. Tongue scrapers are plastic tools sold in drug stores and pharmacies that remove the top coating of bacteria and plaque from your tongue. Use it once a day after you brush your teeth. Start in the back of your tongue, and gently pull the scraper forward. Rinse it off afterwards using tap water, mouthwash or even a saline solution. [8]
    • Avoid scraping your tongue if you have a mouth sore on your tongue. Wait until the sore heals before you scrape again.
    • If you have a condition known as "fissured tongue," you might find it easier to scrape your tongue with your toothbrush instead of a tongue scraper. A brush can dislodge food particles that get stuck in the tongue, which can help you heal the cracks in your tongue .
  4. Your dentist can give your mouth a deep cleaning that will help prevent infections and bacterial growth. They can also diagnose infections and problems early. To keep your tongue healthy and clean, schedule a visit with your dentist at least once or twice a year. [9]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Adopting Healthy Practices

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  1. Drinking enough water helps both your dental health and your overall health. Water flushes away food particles and bacteria that live on your tongue and mouth. Drink at least six eight-ounce glasses of water a day to reduce bad breath.
    • Avoid sipping water in small doses as this may actually wash away helpful saliva. Instead, take full gulps. [10]
  2. Smoking can dry out your mouth and discolor your tongue while reducing the amount of helpful saliva you produce. [11] This can cause bacteria to become more aggressive and can cause oral issues, including bad breath, which is hard to deal with. Quitting smoking can jumpstart your saliva production again. It can also reduce bad breath and stop the discoloration of your tongue. [12]
  3. Gum encourages the production of saliva in your mouth, which can reduce acid. That said, gum that contains sugar can encourage bacterial growth in your mouth, leading to cavities and tooth decay. Sugarless gum that contains xylitol is recommended to help moisturize your tongue. [13]
    • Sucking on sugarless hard candies can have a similar effect.
  4. Diuretics can cause your mouth to dry out because they dehydrate your body. Common diuretics include caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. To make sure that you are producing enough saliva, cut down on: [14]
    • Soda
    • Coffee
    • Caffeinated tea
    • Wine
    • Beer
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Treating Common Problems

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  1. If your mouth consistently feels dry, prickly, or dehydrated, you may suffer from dry mouth. Certain medications, medical procedures, or conditions can cause this. You might find that certain dental products worsen the problem or irritate your mouth.
    • See your dentist first. Dry mouth is a serious problem that requires medical attention. Your dentist may prescribe you some collutory (a special rinsing solution) to help alleviate pain and other symptoms. You will also need to see your GP, for a referral to a specialist
    • Ask your dentist about what you should avoid. For example, spicy foods can dry out your mouth more and cause irritation, so you may want to avoid these. Also, mint-flavored mouthwashes, toothpastes, or candies can irritate a dry mouth. [15]
  2. If you have bitten or burned your tongue, a saltwater rinse can reduce pain while killing harmful bacteria in your mouth. [16] Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in eight-ounces of warm water, and gargle with it for up to 30 seconds. Spit the water out in a sink; do not swallow it. [17]
    • If you have a cut on your tongue larger than 1 cm, you should have it checked out by a doctor or dentist. [18]
  3. Tongue piercings can be stylish, but they present significant risk to your mouth. Before you get a tongue piercing, you should make sure that you are having it done at a clean, licensed shop. Read local reviews to make sure that your piercer is skilled and highly rated. After the piercing, call a doctor if you notice any signs of infection, pain, swelling, or red streaks around the piercing. [19]
    • Before the piercing, make sure that you are up to date on your Hepatitis B and tetanus vaccines. You should ask the piercer if everyone in the shop has been properly vaccinated for Hepatitis B. [20]
    • Once your tongue is pierced, rinse your mouth after every meal with an alcohol-free mouthwash or saltwater. Avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods, and do not kiss anyone until your piercing heals. [21]
    • You may also take some over the counter pills such as Ibuprofen to reduce the tongue inflammation.
    • Avoid habits such as holding the piercing between your teeth because you can hurt your tongue and destroy the enamel
  4. Mouth sores and painful bumps may be a sign of stomatitis. Stomatitis can be caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, herpes, or loose dentures. While you should see a doctor about potential stomatitis, you can reduce the discomfort using a few simple mouthwashes. Hold a mouthful of the rinse in your mouth, and swish it back and forth. Spit it back out into the sink. You should not swallow mouthwash. Some recommended rinses include: [22]
    • Club soda
    • Alcohol-free mouthwash
    • Benzydamine hydrochloride
    • Lidocaine Viscous (typically used for severe cases caused by chemotherapy)
  5. Your tongue should be a consistent pink color. Discoloration is the first sign of disease or sickness, so check your tongue everyday to make sure that it is the right color.
    • A black, lumpy tongue may be a sign of “hairy tongue” disease. This can be caused by certain medications or by smoking. Hairy tongue can give you bad breath. It might also distort your taste perception. [23]
    • If your tongue is bright red, you may have a Vitamin B-12 or folic acid deficiency. If it is accompanied by a fever, you might have scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease. Seek immediate medical attention. [24]
    • Alternating patches of red and white may be geographic tongue, which is a genetic condition. While people with geographic tongue may be sensitive to spicy foods, the condition is otherwise harmless. [25]
    • Lumps on your tongue may be canker sores or mouth ulcers. If they do not disappear after two weeks, visit your dentist to be checked for oral cancer. [26]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What should a healthy tongue look like?
    Tu Anh Vu, DMD
    Board Certified Dentist
    Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
    Tu Anh Vu, DMD
    Board Certified Dentist
    Expert Answer
    A healthy tongue can look a variety of different ways, varying in different sizes, shapes, and colors. If you think there is something wrong with your tongue, you should schedule a visit with a dental professional or primary care doctor to get it checked out.
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      Tips

      • If your tongue feels consistently burned even though you have not eaten anything hot, you may have Burning Mouth Syndrome. See a doctor. [27]
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      • The better your general mouth health, the healthier your tongue will be.
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      • Always follow your dentist or doctor’s advice first. Only a medical practitioner can properly diagnose a problem.
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      Warning

      • If your tongue is unusually lumpy or painful, see a doctor or dentist immediately. While some tongue conditions go away on their own, others need medical attention.
      • If you cut your tongue, you should see a doctor for treatment.

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      References

      1. ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth
      3. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/flossing
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22536661
      5. ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/
      7. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/canker.html?WT.ac=ctg#
      8. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/tongue-scrapers
      9. ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
      1. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dry-mouth-syndrome
      2. ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Dental-decay/Pages/Introduction.aspx
      4. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/chewing-gum
      5. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dry-mouth-syndrome
      6. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dry-mouth-syndrome
      7. ↑ https://sherwoodparkdental.ca/i-bit-my-tongue-what-now-0818/
      8. ↑ https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/oral_surgery.html?_ga=1.57104553.2098643245.1475090302
      9. ↑ https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/83275-overview#a2
      10. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-piercings
      11. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/tongue-piercing
      12. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4445083/
      13. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2743583/
      14. ↑ http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0301/p627.html
      15. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-your-tongue-can-tell-you-about-your-health
      16. ↑ https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0301/p627.html
      17. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/head-neck/diseases-conditions/hic-canker-sores-and-dental-health?_ga=1.86174360.1227157011.1475627065
      18. ↑ https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1508869-overview

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The best way to encourage a healthy tongue is to keep up with basic oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth daily. When you brush your teeth as normal, you should also gently brush the top of your tongue from back to front to remove bacteria that cause tooth decay or bad breath. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, try leaning your head forward as you brush your tongue, or use a smaller toothbrush. To really get your tongue clean, consider using a tongue scraper once a day to remove the top coat of bacteria and plaque. Just make sure to keep it clean by rinsing it with tap water or mouthwash after you use it, and don’t scrape if you have any sores on your tongue. For more tips from our Dental co-author, like how to avoid foods that cause poor tongue health, scroll down!

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