The tongue is an essential part of the human body that we often take for granted. It’s hard to imagine life without a tongue and having no speech and no taste. Furthermore, our leading dentists in Florissant, Dr. Christopher Weber and Dr. Azaryas Mandefro want to remind you that your tongue contributes greatly to your dental health – it’s an important organ without which many of the body’s primary functions would become impaired.
As your go-to source for pain-free dental care in Florissant and St. Louis County, we at Soft Touch Dental have decided to share with you some interesting facts about the tongue. Read on for 8 things you may not know about your tongue, how your tongue works, and how to take care of it!
How the Tongue Works
The tongue, just like any other organ, receives information from neurons that influence its activity. The brain sends signals to the tongue to control its shape and movement during speech, breathing, chewing, and notably during deglutition (swallowing).
Fun Facts About the Tongue
Is the tongue an organ? Yes. Is the tongue a muscle? Yep! That’s not all: there are several other interesting facts about the tongue you may not know. Let’s explore these fun facts – for starters, the tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the human body, capable of exerting a force 100 times its weight.
The tongue Is Made of Four Muscles
The tongue is composed of four important muscles; the genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. Each muscle plays a vital role in the movement of the tongue and should not be overlooked, as they are essential for biological activity within the mouth and throat cavity.
Your Tongue Talks About Your Health
A healthy tongue should have a clear color with a thin white coating and be free from bumps and depressions. If your tongue has a deep reddish hue or large, painful sores, this could indicate an underlying health condition.
The Taste Buds
Did you know that taste buds have an incredible lifespan? Taste buds ordinarily last 10 to 14 days, after which new taste buds form. Perhaps the most fascinating fact about taste buds is how they change in response to different foods. Our taste buds can adjust their sensitivity in response to what we eat, enabling them to detect specific components in food.
The Tongue Can Taste Anything
The tongue can taste pretty much anything and can detect and distinguish various flavors that are essential to our diets. The importance of the tongue’s ability to taste is not just for the fun of it – it also helps us detect possible dangers in our foods before we consume them.
Taste Buds Are Invisible
Contrary to the belief that the little bumps on your tongue are your taste buds, your actual taste buds are invisible. We can’t see them, but they perform their role in detecting taste and enabling us to enjoy different flavors. So, the next time you enjoy a delicious meal, remember the role your invisible taste buds played in making it enjoyable.
Tastes Buds Don’t Reside in a Particular Area
Taste buds are located in various areas of the human tongue. Taste buds that identify sweetness are found on the tip and to the sides at the front of the tongue. Sour tastes tend to be identified by buds at the front and to the sides of the tongue. Salty tastes can be identified throughout the tongue, while bitter tastes are generally identified at the back of the tongue.
The Average Size of the Tongue
The human tongue size can vary from person to person, but on average, the adult human tongue measures between 3.1 to 3.3 inches in length. Men tend to have longer tongues at about 3.3 inches and women at about 3.1 inches. However, other factors like age and genetics can affect the length.
You have a Tongue Print
Our final fun fact about the tongue is that no two people have the same tongue print, as is the case with fingerprints. The human tongue is as unique as fingerprints are, meaning one person’s tongue print cannot be mistaken for another.
How to Take Care of Your Tongue
Taking care of your tongue is integral to your overall health and well-being. You can keep your tongue healthy and functioning correctly with the proper oral care and attention.
Tips on taking care of your tongue and avoiding infections include:
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Limit the amount of sugary or acidic foods you consume
- Enough relaxation to avoid tongue inflammation
- Practice breathing exercises
- Watch out for any changes or discoloration in the tongue
Get Affordable and Pain-Free Dental Care in Florissant and St. Louis County
Looking for affordable, pain-free dental care in Florissant and St. Louis County? You’ve come to the right place!
At Soft Touch Dental, we provide affordable and pain-free dental care in Florissant and St. Louis County and offer a range of quality and effective dental services and treatments. Our top-rated dentists perform dental care procedures including teeth whitening, dental implants, dentures, and general dental treatments.
We encourage you to contact our dental team for quality dental care and treatment. Book an appointment with us at Soft Touch Dental today!
