FitSugar

Tongue Scraper

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 02:01:02 -0800

Twice a day we brush, floss and use mouthwash so our mouths feel minty fresh and clean.

Brushing and flossing our teeth gets rid of all the extra food and sugar and junk that gets left in our mouths after eating. Leaving it in our mouths would cause cavities, which we know we don't want - that's why we brush in the first place.

But what about our tongues? Don't forget to brush that too. If you find that brushing it doesn't quite get the job done, try using a tongue scraper.

Just hold on to the two ends with your hands. Place the curved metal part as far back as you can (you don't want to make yourself gag), and gently press the metal into your tongue as you slide it forward towards the tip.

You'll be amazed at what you find scrapes off. Rinse your tongue and the scraper too. Repeat a couple more times if you feel the need.

If you didn't get one from Santa, fear not since tongue scrapers are not only easy to use, but cheap too - $6 or less. They come in all shapes and colors. Want to see the variety? Then read more

Got a Bumpy Tongue?

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Have you ever noticed a really sensitive part on your tongue, and when you look in the mirror, there's a little bump?

I call them "enlarged taste buds." I've also heard them called "tongue zits," "lie bumps," "tongue blisters," and "inflamed taste buds."

They are extremely common, and they can happen when there is trauma to your little tongue. Eating spicy, acidic, hot, or hard foods can cause local inflammation. Allergies and biting your tongue can also irritate your taste buds.

The inflammation looks like a tiny white or red bump. It's different than a canker sore, because those are usually found on the inside walls of your mouth, and the sores are generally bigger, more irritated, and open.

If your tongue isn't back to normal in 7-10 days, you should definitely go see your doctor to get it checked out.

Tongue Piercings Can Lead to Fatality

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:00:26 -0700

Add brain abscesses to the list of dangers associated with getting a tongue piercing. The latest Archives of Neurology details the case of a 22-year-old man who died from multiple lesions on his brain two weeks after getting pierced. Doctors say the man's piercing became infected and the condition spread to his brain.

Tongue piercing does not usually result in fatality, but doctors still warn against it because of the associated risks. Some of the more common risks are chipped teeth, receding gums, and oral infections. Rare cases of toxic shock syndrome and blood poisoning have also been reported.

If you decide on a tongue piercing for yourself, get it done from a professional piercer in a hygienic setting and make sure to care for it properly once home. Also, be prepared for a little hunger - when Drew Barrymore got her tongue pierced, she says she could hardly eat or drink anything for two weeks!

Where to Put Your Tongue to Relax Your Neck

FitSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I heard this advice when I walked into my first yoga class years ago: to keep your jaw and neck relaxed, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth. But this tip has a broader application. Since you can't clench your jaw or grimace with your tongue is purposefully place there, this simple move is great for strength training. It will help remove unnecessary tension from your face, neck, chest, and shoulders. Michael Mejia, an exercise adviser for Men's Health, thinks placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth aids head alignment during crunches, thereby reducing neck strain. Having tested it, I agree. Try it next time you work out.

Source

Soothe Your Scalded Tongue

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Cold weather means more hot chocolate, and I will admit my tongue has paid the price of my impatience. Since I can't wait for my cocoa to cool, I have been researching how to help heal a burnt tongue.

Women's Health magazine offered up this simple advice: Rinse with salt water. The saline solution of one teaspoon salt to one warm cup of water can help soothe a scalded tongue. The salt water also draws the infection to the surface of your tongue and can neutralize mouth acids, which promote harmful bacterial growth. Both of these actions help to heal the burn quickly. The only drawback to this method is you need to perform your oceanic oral rinse immediately and that can be challenging to find a salt water solution in a ski lodge. The simplest solution: Wait for your cocoa to cool.

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5 Things: To Fight Bad Breath

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Everyone suffers from the occasional bad breath, but it can be an embarrassing problem if you're dealing with it all the time. Of course brushing your teeth, using mouthwash and not smoking are well-known ways to prevent bad breath, but here are a few others.

Every time you eat, brush and floss your teeth. Food particles that remain in your mouth and in between your teeth collect bacteria. The bacteria emits hydrogen sulfur vapors. So keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your purse or desk so you can clean your mouth after your morning coffee, your lunch, and your mid-afternoon snack. Not only will brushing and flossing keep your mouth clean, but I know when my breath is minty fresh, I'm less likely to snack between meals.
Certain foods such as onions, garlic, and alcohol can cause bad breath. After they are consumed, they are absorbed into your bloodstream, carried to your lungs and given off in your breath until the food is eliminated from your body. Avoiding these foods can prevent this stinky problem.
If you have allergies, sinus infections, or post nasal drip, the nasal discharge in the back of your throat can cause bad breath (gross I know, but true). Try to figure out the cause of your symptoms. If you are allergic to something, like cats, try to avoid your triggers. Using a neti pot can also help to flush allergens out of your nose. If you have a sinus infection, be sure to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection.

Want to hear what else may help bad breath? Then read more

Dry mouth can also contribute to bad breath since saliva helps to cleanse and moisten your mouth. A dry mouth allows dead cells and bacteria to accumulate on your gums, tongue and teeth. When these cells decompose, they cause that foul smell. (Morning breath is caused by a dry mouth). It's important to note that certain medications such as decongestants and allergy meds can cause dry mouth too. If you have issues with dry mouth, try to drink more water. If you are taking allergy meds, and your bad breath annoys you more than your sneezing and runny nose, then you may want to consider ditching your meds.
Get yourself a tongue scraper. Use it twice a day to clean your tongue and get rid of excess bacteria.

Source

Recycled Personal Products: Recycline

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Did you know that an estimated 2 billion pounds of plastic are dumped into landfills nationwide each year?

You could be contributing to that number more than you know if you use disposable razors and toothbrushes, unless you use Recycline's Preserve line of personal products. Recycline, a company whose mission is to provide high-quality recycled content and recyclable products to the consumer, is single handedly trying to reduce the amount of plastic disposed into landfills. What's more? Recycline has partnered up with Stonyfield Farm, who has offered to recycle any yogurt cups that are returned to the company by consumers. Recycline is, in part, using these cups to manufacture the handles of new Preserve Toothbrushes, Preserve Jr Toothbrushes, Preserve Tongue Cleaners and Preserve Razors.

To read more about the company and their fab products, check out the Recycline site. To support this fabulous company and buy Preserve product, visit the online store.

Tongue problems

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:04:18 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Considerations
Common Causes
Home Care
Call your health care provider if
What to expect at your health care provider's office
References

Illustrations

Black hairy tongue

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Tongue problems include pain, swelling, or a change in how the tongue looks.

Alternative Names

Dark tongue; Burning tongue syndrome

Considerations

The tongue is mainly composed of muscles. It is covered with a mucous membrane. Small bumps (papillae) cover the upper surface of the tongue. Between the papillae are the taste buds, which allow you to taste. The tongue moves food to help you chew and swallow.

The tongue also helps you form words.

There are many different reasons for changes in the tongue's function and appearance.

DIFFICULTY MOVING THE TONGUE

Tongue movement problems are most often caused by nerve damage. However, problems moving the tongue may also be caused by ankyloglossia, a disorder where the band of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short. Tongue movement disorders may result in speech difficulties or difficulty moving food during chewing and swallowing.

TASTE ABNORMALITIES

Taste problems can be caused by damage to the taste buds, nerve problems, side effects of medications, an infection, or other condition. The tongue normally senses sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. Other "tastes" are actually a function of the sense of smell.

ENLARGEMENT OF THE TONGUE

Tongue swelling occurs with Down syndrome, acromegaly, myxedema, amyloidosis, rhabdomyoma, and other disorders. The tongue may get wider in persons who have no teeth and do not wear dentures.

COLOR CHANGES

Color changes may occur with inflammation of the tongue (glossitis). Papillae are lost, causing the tongue to appear smooth. Geographic tongue is a patchy form of glossitis where the location of inflammation and appearance change from day to day.

HAIRY TONGUE

Hairy tongue is a harmless condition in which the tongue looks hairy or furry. Its appearance can be worrisome. The disorder usually goes away with antibiotics.

BLACK TONGUE

Sometimes the upper surface of the tongue turns black or brown in color. This is an unsightly condition but not harmful.

PAIN IN THE TONGUE

This may occur with glossitis and geographic tongue. Tongue pain may also occur in with diabetic neuropathy, oral cancer, mouth ulcers, and leukoplakia.

After menopause, some women have a sudden feeling that their tongue has been burned. This is called burning tongue syndrome or idiopathic glossopyrosis. There is no specific treatment for burning tongue syndrome.

Common Causes

Minor infections or irritations are the most common cause of tongue soreness. Injury, such as biting the tongue, can cause painful sores. Heavy smoking will irritate the tongue and make it painful.

A viral ulcer, also called a canker sore, commonly appears on the tongue (or anywhere in the mouth) for no apparent reason. Some doctors believe that these ulcers are linked to emotional stress or fatigue, although this has not been proven.

Possible causes of tongue pain include:

Anemia
Cancer
Dentures that irritate the tongue
Oral herpes (ulcers)
Neuralgia
Referred pain from teeth and gums
Referred pain from the heart

Possible causes of tongue tremor:

Neurological disorder
Overactive thyroid

Possible causes of white tongue:

Local irritation
Smoking and alcohol use

Possible causes of smooth tongue:

Anemia
Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Possible causes of red (ranging from pink to magenta) tongue:

Possible causes of tongue swelling:

Acromegaly
Allergic reaction to food or medicine
Amyloidosis
Angioedema
Beckwith syndrome
Cancer of the tongue
Congenital micrognathia
Down syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Infection
Leukemia
Lymphangioma
Neurofibromatosis
Pellagra
Pernicious anemia
Strep infection
Tumor of the pituitary gland

Possible causes of a hairy tongue:

AIDS
Antibiotic therapy
Drinking coffee
Dyes in drugs and food
Chronic medical conditions
Overuse of mouthwashes containing oxidizing or astringent agents.
Radiation of the head and neck
Tobacco use

Possible cause of grooves in the tongue:

Birth defect -- normally occurs in 10% of population

Home Care

Practice good oral hygiene for hairy tongue and black tongue. Be sure to eat a well-balanced diet.

Canker sores are caused by viruses and can't be cured by treatment. They must heal on their own.

See your dentist if you have a tongue problem caused by dentures.

Antihistamines can help relieve a swollen tongue caused by allergies. You should avoid the food or drug that causes the tongue swelling.

Call your health care provider if

Make an appointment with your doctor if your tongue problem persists.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will perform a physical examination, look closely at the tongue, and ask question such as:

When did you first notice the problem?
Have you had similar symptoms before?
Do you have pain, swelling, breathing problems, or difficulty swallowing?
Do you have a tongue tremor?
What makes the problem worse? (Eating, drinking, swallowing, talking)
Do you wear dentures?
What have you tried that helps?
Are there problems with the teeth, gums, lips, or throat?
Does the tongue bleed?
Do you have a rash or fever?
Do you have allergies?
Are there problems with speaking or moving the tongue?
Have you noticed changes in taste?
What medications do you take?
Do you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe?
Do you use alcohol excessively?

Blood tests may be done to confirm specific disorders, particularly systemic causes of tongue disorders. Biopsy of tongue lesions may be needed in some cases.

Treatment depends on the cause of the tongue problem.

If nerve damage has causes a tongue movement problem, the underlying condition must be treated. Therapy may be needed to improve speech and swallowing ability.
Ankyloglossia may not require treatment unless you have speech or swallowing difficulties. Surgery to release the tongue can relieve the problem.
Medicine may be prescribed for mouth ulcers, leukoplakia, oral cancer, and other mouth sores.
Anti-inflammatory medicines may be prescribed for glossititis and geographic tongue.

This list is not all inclusive. For more details, see the specific disorder.

References

Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2006. 58th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:1038.

McKenna JK. Dermatologic drug reactions. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. Aug 2004; 24(3): 399-423, vi.

Review Date: 2/12/2007

Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Source Doc: 1_003047

Tongue tie

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:48:47 -0700

Illustrations

Oropharynx

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Tongue tie is the improper positioning of tongue tissue in the mouth, which restricts the tongue's free movement.

Alternative Names

Ankyloglossia

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Tongue tie occurs when the tissue on the underside of the front of the tongue is positioned too far forward on the tongue, making it difficult to move the tongue. This tissue is called the lingual frenulum.

If the tissue reaches the tip of the tongue, a V-shaped notch may be seen.

Tongue tie may cause feeding problems, tooth problems, and speech problems.

Symptoms

Can't stick the tongue forward.
Excessive attachment of tongue to bottom of the mouth
V-shaped notch in tip of tongue

Signs and tests

A doctor can diagnose this condition during a physical exam. The exam will show that the tongue tissue is attached too far forward.

Treatment

Surgery is seldom necessary. If it is needed, it should be postponed, if possible, until the child is about 9 months old. Occasionally, feeding problems require that surgery be done earlier.

Surgery involves cutting the abnormally placed tissue. If the child has a mild case of tongue tie, the surgery may be done in the doctor's office. More severe cases are done in a hospital operating room. A surgical reconstruction procedure called a z-plasty closure may be required to prevent scar tissue formation.

Expectations (prognosis)

Surgery, if performed, is usually successful.

Complications

The complications are rare, but recurrence of tongue tie, tongue swelling, bleeding, infection, and damage to the ducts of the salivary glands may occur.

Calling your health care provider

If you are concerned that your child may have tongue tie, have your health care provider examine it during a routine well-baby examination.

References

Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005.

Review Date: 4/22/2008

Reviewed By: Reviewed by Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, Denver, Colorado. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001640

Geographic tongue

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:54:04 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Symptoms
Signs and tests
Treatment
Expectations (prognosis)
Calling your health care provider
Prevention
References

Illustrations

Tongue

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Geographic tongue is a map-like appearance of your tongue due to irregular patches on its surface.

Alternative Names

Patches on the tongue; Tongue - patchy; Benign migratory glossitis; Glossitis - benign migratory

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The specific cause of geographic tongue is unknown, although vitamin B deficiency may be involved. Other causes may include irritation from hot or spicy foods, or alcohol. The condition appears to be less common in those who smoke.

The pattern on the surface of the tongue may change very rapidly. This pattern changes occur when there is a loss of the tiny finger-like projections, called papillae, on the tongue's surface. This makes areas of the tongue flat. These areas are said to be "denuded." Denuded areas may persist for more than a month.

Symptoms

Map-like appearance to the surface of the tongue
Smooth, beefy red patches and lesions on the tongue
Patches that change location from day to day
Soreness and burning pain (in some cases)

Signs and tests

Your doctor will usually diagnose this condition based on an examination of your tongue. Tests are usually not necessary.

Treatment

There is no treatment.

Expectations (prognosis)

Geographic tongue is a harmless condition, but it can be persistent and uncomfortable.

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor if the symptoms last longer than 10 days. Seek immediate medical help if:

The tongue is severely swollen
Breathing trouble occurs
There are problems with speaking, chewing, or swallowing

Prevention

Avoid irritating your tongue with hot or spicy food or alcohol if you are prone to this condition.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2428.

Shulman JD. Prevalence and risk factors associated with geographic tongue among US adults. Oral Dis. Jul 2006; 12(4): 381-6.

Review Date: 2/12/2007

Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_001049