# Tongue Ecology
> The tongue's papillae give bacteria a home. Learn what a healthy tongue looks like and gentle ways to keep it clean.

## Guides
- [Papillae and Bacteria on the Tongue](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/tongue-papillae-bacteria/): The tongue's surface is covered in small bumps called papillae, which create nooks where bacteria and other microbes settle and form a community.
- [What a Healthy Tongue Looks Like](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/healthy-tongue-appearance/): A healthy tongue is usually pink to reddish with a fine, slightly rough texture, and a thin whitish film is common.
- [Tongue Scraper vs Toothbrush](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/tongue-scraper-vs-toothbrush/): Both a tongue scraper and a toothbrush can remove surface debris from the tongue, and neither is clearly the one right choice.
- [White Tongue: Common Causes](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/white-tongue-common-causes/): White tongue common causes are mostly ordinary: a layer of debris, dead cells and bacteria sitting on the papillae, often linked to dry mouth, tobacco, certain.
- [Tongue Changes Worth Reporting](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/tongue-changes-to-report/): Tongue changes to report include any sore, lump, patch or color change that does not heal within about two weeks, as well as new numbness, bleeding or pain.

## About
- [About Tongue Ecology](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/about/): not medical advice, how the site is funded and how guides are made

## Optional
- [RSS feed](https://tongue-microbiome-basics.leberi.workers.dev/feed.xml)