Your tongue is a powerhouse! A strong organ comprised of eight different muscles, the human tongue is used constantly and never seems to tire out. Just think, without it, you wouldn’t be able to eat, chew, swallow, or talk!
Say ahhh!
The tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth and extends from the epiglottis (flap of cartilage at the way back of the tongue) all the way to the tip. The average human tongue is about 3 inches long. Nick Stoeberi currently holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest tongue at 3.97 inches, but Gerkay Bracho Blequett is hoping to beat that record, claiming that her tongue measures a whopping 4.48 inches long.
In addition to reciting tricky tongue twisters and tying the stem of a cherry, your tongue has the ability to do some pretty cool things.
Here are four fun facts about your tongue.
Indicator of Health
Your tongue can tell a lot about your health. Rule of “tongue”, a pink tongue is usually healthy. White spots on the tongue are a common sign of thrush, which is a yeast/fungal infection in the mucous membranes. If your tongue is bright red it might mean you have some type of deficiency or underlying disease. Sores on your tongue could be a symptom of oral cancer. Last but not least, a black, hairy tongue can signal bacteria growth.
Super Healing Powers
Have you ever bitten your tongue? Usually by the next day, the wound is magically healed. The tongue is among the fastest-healing tissue in the human body. It might be a heavy bleeder because of the numerous blood vessels and blood mixing with saliva, but your tongue heals like a champ!
Taste Tester
Taste buds play an important role in your mouth, which is making food taste good! Your tongue can detect the following five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory (umami). In order to taste, saliva has to moisten the food first. Every person has several thousand taste buds, which renew themselves weekly, and each taste bud is comprised of 50-150 receptor cells. Contrary to popular belief, there are no specific “taste zones” on the tongue.
Unique Identifier
No two tongues are alike. Your tongue is as unique as your fingerprint. It can serve as a verification tool for your identity.
Keep in mind that your tongue harbors a good portion of your body’s bacteria, so keeping it clean should be a part of your oral hygiene routine. Bad breath is often caused by a buildup of bacteria on your tongue, so make sure to brush it regularly or use a tongue scraper to give it a good scrub.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the health of your tongue, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.