“The Power of Life and Death are in the Tongue” —King Solomon
Although this ancient wisdom has always been considered to refer to the words a tongue speaks, might there be another application? Recent studies have identified links between poor oral health and systemic disorders, including cardiovascular and lymphatic disease.
How can this be? It has to do with the rich blood supply in your mouth, and the prolific bacteria that live there. “Bacteria in my mouth! Yuck!” you may be thinking. But most bacteria are beneficial, because they help in the process of breaking down the food you eat, as you chew and mix it with the enzymes in your saliva. Some bacteria are good. Uncontrolled growth of bacteria is NOT good.
How do you know you have uncontrolled bacterial growth? The first indication you have is a drop in your social rating. Sorry, but no one likes bad breath, also known as halitosis! Unfortunately, that is only the beginning! Uncontrolled bacterial growth can also lead to gum disease, or periodontitis. The foul smelling gasses given off by the bacteria on THE TONGUE have been shown to contribute to the onset of gum disease!
You see, far back into the mouth, on the base of the tongue – where you wouldn’t think to investigate – there’s a party going on! Bacterial colonies are thriving, and producing sulfuric gasses that conspire to ruin your chances of social success! But not only that, this bacteria moves forward into your mouth and begins to infect your gums and oral muscles – even bones, if left untreated long enough. It moves into your bloodstream and travels to other areas of the body, wreaking havoc in the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
What can be done to fight back against this bacterial invasion and ensure fresh breath at the same time? As you might guess, a breath mint is not enough. Prevention is the key! The answer lies in small daily activities, otherwise known as habits! Dr. Maria Lopez Howell, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association recommends these:
Critical Daily Bacteria-Fighting Fresh Breath Habits
- Brush teeth twice daily to remove food particles and bacteria
- Floss at least once daily
- Drink plenty of water and choose foods from each of the major food groups, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish, dry beans, peas and other legumes, and low fat dairy products
- Use sugar free gum to stimulate the flow of saliva, the body’s natural defense against cavities. Saliva rinses away food particles and neutralizes the acid by-products from the bacteria.
And we would like to recommend a fifth habit: BRUSH YOUR TONGUE each time you brush your teeth!
Brushing your tongue helps combat overgrowth of this bacteria and leads to a healthier mouth. Your tongue’s irregular surface has numerous crevices where bacteria can hide. The TUNG Brush bristles are uniquely designed for cleaning your tongue and getting inside those crevices, outperforming your toothbrush, whose bristles are too soft to get the job done, and a tongue scraper!
So, let’s apply the ancient wisdom and choose to be “Mouth Healthy for Life!” It starts with the Tongue. Our specially designed brush for the tongue and sulfur neutralizing minty TUNG Gel gives you the upper hand in oral health. Choose life for your body AND your tongue – choose TUNG!
