Ritchie Dental Group Blog

At Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX, we diagnose and treat conditions of the teeth and gums on a daily basis. These conditions can affect the tongue. We’re using this blog post to discuss the tongue.

Have you ever considered all the important things your tongue can do? It helps us talk, perceive the texture and flavor of food, chew, and swallow. It’s a strong and nimble gymnast, and it’s in nonstop motion during our waking hours.

Your tongue can also reveal physical problems. These may include digestive issues, infections, and diseases of the blood.

Tongue abnormalities and possible causes include:

• Swollen tongue: Reaction to food/drink/medication, strep infection, leukemia, hypothyroidism
• White tongue: Dehydration, yeast infection, irritation to tobacco, enteritis, gastritis, colitis, anemia, or other nutritional deficiency
• Canker sores: May be linked to stress or reaction to food, toothpaste, or mouthwash.

If you have persistent canker sores, you may want to try eliminating products that contain sodium lauryl (or laurel) sulfate (SLS). SLS is a cheap foaming agent that is found in many personal care products.

Is tongue-scraping a good idea, in addition to brushing your teeth? We recommend thorough dental hygiene that includes your tongue.

At Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX we offer complete general dentistry. Patients from Burnet, Kingsland, and Meadowlakes also come to us for cosmetic dentistry and dental implants. Contact us today!

Contact Ritchie Dental Group:

830-693-8833

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Ritchie Dental Group – Marble Falls
1000 Marble Heights Dr
Marble Falls, TX 78654

Ritchie Dental Group – Brady
2001 Nine Rd
Brady, TX 76825

What comes to mind when you hear the term “healthy living?” A dinner plate with a grilled chicken breast and a tossed salad? A cholesterol test that shows your arteries are looking good? If you pictured a white, healthy smile free of cavities, Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX salutes you.

Essential Dental Health

Brushing your teeth every day is essential to good dental health. We recommend brushing twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It’s the best way to keep plaque from building up on your teeth.

Plaque is a sticky film that is formed by bacteria and sugars, and coats the surface of your teeth. It’s a constant process; the stuff is always forming. That’s why you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. It’s important to remove it because plaque is what causes cavities.

Two Minute Warning

Try to brush for two minutes! Some people find that challenging. You can use a timer to help, or listen to some music to take your mind off the brushing. That way, the time will fly by, and you may even go beyond that two minute minimum.

We strongly recommend flossing, too. Before or after you brush? The jury is out on that one. We think before is better, but the most important thing is that you do it.

Healthy living really does start with your smile! At Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. People from Burnet, Kingsland, and Meadowlakes come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today.

Contact Ritchie Dental Group:

830-693-8833

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Ritchie Dental Group – Marble Falls
1000 Marble Heights Dr
Marble Falls, TX 78654

Ritchie Dental Group – Brady
2001 Nine Rd
Brady, TX 76825

At Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX, we make each appointment a noteworthy experience with our attention to detail, and commitment to each patient’s dental health.

Good dental health means having healthy teeth and gums. Maintaining it is something that you have to work at every day. It can be a real balancing act: using the right oral care products, personal oral care habits, and attending regular checkups.

Your dental health strategy should include:

• Daily brushing and flossing. You should brush and floss twice a day. Just before bedtime is especially important, because it cleans out the germs and plaque that build up during the course of the day.
• Proper brushing. It’s important not only to brush, but to brush properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion along the gum line. Take your time; a minimum of two minutes is recommended. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
• Fluoridated toothpaste. There is a myriad of choices when it comes to toothpaste. Whether you prefer mint flavored or bubble gum, fluoride is the most important consideration. It is your best defense against cavities.
• Limiting sugary and acidic foods. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee contributes to enamel erosion. Sugar converts into acid when it’s in your mouth. You don’t have to avoid these foods entirely, but choose carefully and minimize.
• Seeing us twice a year. Your daily dental health care habits are essential, but so is the attention and care of a dentist. A professional teeth cleaning alone is worth the trip, but we can also identify issues before they become serious and treat them.

At Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX, we want every checkup to be a noteworthy experience, and for all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. People from Burnet, Kingsland, and Meadowlakes come to us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Ritchie Dental Group:

830-693-8833

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Ritchie Dental Group – Marble Falls
1000 Marble Heights Dr
Marble Falls, TX 78654

Ritchie Dental Group – Brady
2001 Nine Rd
Brady, TX 76825