Did you know these things about the tongue? (Tongue) Let's talk about this little organ!

Have you ever thought deeply about your tongue? Despite being a small organ, it helps us so much in everything from chewing our food, to tasting, speaking, and even breathing! Not only that, but looking at your tongue can also reveal some clues about your overall health. So, today we will talk about this amazing tongue in a little more detail.

What is the tongue? What does it do?

Simply put, your tongue is a muscular organ inside your mouth that extends from the hyoid bone, a special bone in the middle of your neck, to the floor of your mouth.

So, what's going on with this tongue? Just think...

• Helps in chewing and swallowing food: Strictly speaking, the tongue is what moves food around in the mouth, helps it get caught in the teeth, and helps in swallowing after chewing it well. This is a very important part of the digestive system.
• Helps with speech: We make different sounds and pronounce words clearly with the help of our tongue. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to speak clearly, wouldn't it?
• Helps with breathing: The tongue also helps keep your airway open, so we can breathe properly.

What is our tongue made of?

As I mentioned earlier, the tongue is mainly made up of muscles. It is also held firmly in place by webs of strong tissue. The tongue is covered by a moist, pink membrane called the `(mucosa)`. Did you know that this kind of membrane covers some other organs and cavities in our body?

If you look at your tongue with a mirror, you'll see that it has little bumps on it, right? Those are called `papillae` . There are several types of `papillae`, and they are where the little taste buds are located. Isn't it amazing?

Let's see what types of `(papillae)` these are:

• Filiform papillae: These are found mostly in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. They have a thread-like appearance and do not have taste buds like other types of papillae.
• `Fungiform papillae` (mushroom-shaped papillae): These get their name because they are shaped like mushrooms. They are mostly located on the sides and tip of the tongue. There are approximately 1,600 taste buds in these papillae. It's hard to imagine, right?
• Circumvallate papillae: Those little bumps on the back of your tongue look a little big, don't they? That's what these circumvallate papillae are. They're a little bigger than the other types of papillae. They contain about 250 taste buds.
• Foliate papillae: These are located on the back of the tongue on both sides. They look like folds of tissue. Each person has about 20 of these foliate papillae, each containing hundreds of taste buds.

How do you feel? (Taste Buds)

Have you ever wondered how we taste food when we put it in our mouths? This is because of the taste buds on our tongues. These are actually clusters of nerve cells. These nerve cells are what send sensory messages about taste to our brains. They're like little messengers.

There are five basic types of flavors that stimulate our taste buds:

• Sweet
• Salty
• Bitter taste
• Sour taste
• Umami - This is the special savory taste found in things like meat, fish, and cheese.

A common misconception is that different parts of the tongue sense different tastes. In fact, all five of your taste buds can detect these five flavors. However, it is true that some parts of the tongue are slightly more sensitive to certain flavors. Got it?

What color is a healthy tongue?

A healthy tongue is usually pink. However, this pink color can vary from light to dark. It varies from person to person. However, if your tongue color has suddenly changed, it could be a sign of a health problem. So it's a good idea to be concerned about it.

What diseases and problems affect the tongue?

I've said that you can tell a lot about your overall health by looking at your tongue. Let's now look at some of the symptoms that can affect the tongue and what conditions can cause them. It's very important to be aware of these.

Is it difficult to move your tongue?

Often, difficulty moving the tongue is due to nerve damage. When the nerves are damaged, the muscles that control the tongue can become weak or inactive.

Another cause is tongue-tie , also known as ``Ankyloglossia'' or ``Tongue-tie''. This is when the tissue that connects the tongue to the roof of the mouth, called the ``frenum'', becomes too short. This makes it difficult for the tongue to move freely. If a baby has this, it can have problems breastfeeding. It can also have problems speaking. This can be treated with a minor surgery called ``frenectomy''.

Is there a difference in taste?

A change in taste (dysgeusia) or a complete loss of taste (ageusia) can be caused by infections, nerve problems, certain medications, or damage to the taste buds. If you suddenly notice that food tastes different, pay attention to that too.

Does your tongue go numb?

Tongue numbness can occur for a variety of reasons. For example:

• An allergic reaction to certain foods or chemicals.
• Autoimmune disorders - for example, Lupus, Scleroderma or Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
• A condition called `Raynaud's phenomenon`. This is when the small blood vessels in our body constrict.
• Nerve damage. This can happen after dental treatment or after a tongue piercing.
• A deficiency in certain vitamins or minerals, such as calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus, can also cause a numb tongue.

Very important: Sometimes tongue numbness or tingling can be a sign of a stroke. If tongue numbness is accompanied by drooping on one side of the face, difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness, dizziness, loss of vision, or a severe headache, go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately or call 1990 (ambulance). This is an emergency.

Does your tongue hurt? Is it swollen?

Minor infections or irritations on the tongue are often the cause of tongue pain. People who smoke, have canker sores, or wear dentures that don't fit properly can also experience this discomfort.

In some cases, a sore tongue can be a symptom of oral cancer. But remember, not all oral cancers cause pain. So, if you notice anything unusual on your tongue, seek medical advice.

Does your tongue feel like it's burning?

If you feel a burning sensation inside your mouth or tongue, you may have a condition called ``Burning mouth syndrome.`` It is not dangerous, but it is very uncomfortable. Although this condition can occur in anyone, it is most common in ``postmenopausal`` women.

Is the tongue enlarged? (Macroglossia)

The average tongue is about 3 inches long and 2.52 inches wide. Macroglossia can be caused by trauma, inflammatory conditions, or rare diseases such as primary amyloidosis (where abnormal proteins build up in organs and tissues).

Is the tongue smooth? (Atrophic glossitis)

In this condition, the bumps on the tongue disappear and the tongue becomes completely smooth. This can be a sign of anemia or vitamin B deficiency.

Do you have cold sores on your tongue?

Cold sores are most often found on the lips, but can also occur on the tongue. They are caused by a highly contagious virus called the herpes simplex virus.

Has the color of your tongue changed?

If your tongue has changed color, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem.

• White tongue: If there are white spots on the tongue, it could be a condition like `(Thrush)` (Lichen planus)`, `(Leukoplakia)`.
• Red or purple tongue: If your tongue has turned red or purple, it could be something like `(Geographic tongue)` (a tongue with spots - this is not a harmful condition). However, it can also be a sign of a medical condition like certain vitamin deficiencies, `(scarlet fever)` (scarlet fever), or `(Kawasaki disease)`.
• Black tongue: If your tongue is yellow, brown, or black, you may have a condition called ``Black hairy tongue.`` Although the name may sound strange, this condition does not actually involve hairs on the tongue. It occurs when bacteria, food particles, and other debris accumulate on the ``filiform papillae`` on the tongue.
• Yellow tongue: A yellow tongue is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, eating certain foods, or smoking. In some cases, a yellow tongue can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as psoriasis (a skin disease). Rarely, it can also be caused by jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

How to keep a healthy tongue?

So, what should we do to keep our tongue healthy, which is so important? There are some very simple things.

• Maintain good oral hygiene: When brushing and flossing, don't forget to clean your tongue.
• See a dentist regularly: It's important to get your teeth cleaned and have oral exams. It's a good idea to go at least once a year.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking is not only harmful to the tongue, but also to the entire mouth and body.
• Drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
• Eat a balanced diet. Eat more vegetables and fruits.

Doing these things will go a long way in keeping your tongue healthy.

How to clean your tongue properly?

Cleaning your tongue can help reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria are often the cause of bad breath (halitosis) and plaque buildup on your teeth.

The best way to clean your tongue is to brush it with your toothbrush. Brush your tongue from top to bottom, and both sides of your tongue. Don't brush too hard, as this can damage your tongue. Then rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

If you can, you can also use a tongue scraper, which you can buy at pharmacies. That is also very useful.

Can't you clean your tongue using just mouthwash?

Mouthwash only kills some of the cells on the top of the biofilm (a layer of bacteria that forms on the surface of our mouths, including our tongues). Therefore, it is best to physically remove these bacteria with a toothbrush or tongue scraper.

Imagine you're washing a car. Just splashing water on it will remove the big pieces of dirt. But if you rub it with your finger, there's still a layer of fine dirt, right? To remove that layer, you have to scrub it with a brush or a sponge. The tongue is the same way. To get it really clean, you have to physically scrub it.

Finally, a few things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Your tongue is as unique as your fingerprints. There's no other like it. So, taking good care of this precious organ can help reduce the risk of harmful oral bacteria.

If you notice any pain, discoloration, or other unusual appearance in your tongue, don't ignore it and see a doctor or dentist right away. They can diagnose the problem and determine if the symptoms are related to an underlying condition. Remember, early detection is the best solution for most diseases. So, don't forget to take care of your tongue too!

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