Talking out the side of your mouth

Science of Speaking and Listening

Bill and Hillary Clinton. Shaun Heasley/Getty Images

Alfred A. Tomatis was an internationally known ear nose and throat doctor.

Early in his career, Tomatis discovered that the quality of our speech or singing is only as good as our ability to hear, monitor, and correct it as we produce it. Many famous singers, and announcers who were loosing their voices came to him, and he restored them by improving their brain’s ability to better hear the sound they produced, with a device he called, “The Electronic Ear,” that highlighted frequencies they couldn’t hear. “We speak with our ears, not our voices,” he used to joke.

But Tomatis made a second major clinical discovery—something we all look at every day of our lives, but never see. He discovered that almost every human being talks primarily out of one side of the mouth.

People with good listening skills overwhelmingly speak with the right side of the mouth, and the sound of their speech enters their right ear. The right ear and its circuits are also important for singing.

All the professionally successful singers that Tomatis examined—with one exception—were "right-eared"; when he played noise into their right ear, so they couldn’t hear their voices on the right, their singing voice deteriorated. The left hemisphere is the area where most people—be they right- or left-handed— process important verbal elements of speech. However, each brain hemisphere gets most of its sound input from the ear on the opposite side of the body.

According to Tomatis, the right ear sends three-fifths of the fibers of its auditory nerve to the left hemisphere, and two-fifths go to the right hemisphere. Similarly, the left ear sends three-fifths of its nerve fibers to the right hemisphere and two-fifths to the left.

Hence most of the nerve fibers supplying the left hemisphere come from the right ear. Thus the fastest, most direct nerve pathway to the left hemisphere's language area, for most people, is via the right ear. There are a few exceptions, in some lefthanded people.

Some left-handed people who speak well, such as President Bill Clinton, use both sides of the mouth to speak, meaning that they listen on both sides equally.

Ninety-five percent of healthy right-handers process key elements of verbal language in their left hemisphere; the remaining 5 percent process them in their right.

Seventy percent of left-handers process key aspects of verbal language in the left hemisphere, 15 percent in the right, and 15 percent bilaterally.

Since only about 10 percent of people are left-handed, the overwhelming majority of people process language activities on the left.

Bill Clinton is one of the rare left-handed people who uses both sides of his mouth to speak, meaning that he also listens on both sides equally. Reuters/Jeff J Mitchell

The day Tomatis met a patient, Paul, Tomatis saw that there was more animation on the left side of Paul's face, and more movement on the left side of his lips and mouth when he talked, and that his left side—and left ear—leaned into the conversation.

This behavior meant that Paul was hearing speech with his left ear.

Sound signals had to take the roundabout, less efficient path to get to his left-hemisphere language area: they had to pass from his left ear to his right hemisphere, then back across, through the middle of his brain, to his left hemisphere. The resulting delay, up to 0.4 second, contributed to Paul's inability to process the speech of others in real time, causing a time lapse whenever he tried to put his thoughts into words and contributed to his tendency to lose his train of thought.

This is because, over time, for some people, speaking on the left side of the mouth and listening with the left ear can lead to disorganization in a developing brain, contribute to learning disorders that seem unrelated to listening, and give rise to stammering and stuttering.

This story comes from The Brain's Way of Healing by Norman Doidge, MD. The Brain's Way of Healing

Most people do certain activities with their right hemisphere, and certain activities with their left.

For instance, most right-handers write with their right hand, use a baseball bat on the right side, and use the right hand for activities that require strength, coordination, and control. Their right hand is dominant, and is controlled by the left hemisphere.

But Paul, Tomatis observed, used his left hand for some activities, and his right for others, a pattern called mixed dominance, which is typical of people with dyslexia who are left- ear listeners, and which can, thought Tomatis, indicate a brain problem.

Because of his mixed dominance, Paul was unable to differentiate brain areas for his right and left hands or to use his hands to do different tasks simultaneously, such as playing the guitar, where one hand strums and the other is on the fingerboard. Such mixed dominance contributed to his overall clumsiness and poor handwriting and even affected his eye tracking when he was reading.

Instead of reading from left to right in a systematic way, frequently his eyes strayed back to the midline of a sentence or jumped around the page. To make Paul a right-eared listener and correct his mixed dominance, Tomatis set the Electronic Ear to stimulate Paul's right ear and its circuitry by decreasing the volume to the left.

Paul was not just a slow listener. He often missed what people were saying, Tomatis realized, because he heard too much in the low frequencies and not enough in the higher ones. The reasons were several: First, Paul had visibly low muscle tonus throughout his body, which led to his poor posture, clumsiness, and dislike of fast movements.

This bodily hypotonia affected and weakened Paul's ear muscles and auditory zoom, so it couldn't differentiate the frequencies of human speech. (Our auditory zoom allows us, when we enter a crowded noisy room, to focus in on individual conversations.)

Second, Paul listened mostly with his left ear. Tomatis had found that the right ear and its brain circuit generally hear more of the higher speech frequencies than the left.

Thus Paul often heard more background noise and hum than clear speech. Since the right ear and its auditory cortex normally process the higher frequencies, stimulating the right side also trained Paul's brain to process speech more clearly, and eliminate his dyslexia.

From The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity by Norman Doidge, M.D. Reprinted by arrangement with Viking, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2015 by Norman Doidge.

Talking Out of the Side of Your Mouth: Here's What It Means

Many idioms and phrases circulate in English that might need a bit of clarification. Lucky for you, we’re here to help. This article will explain what “talking out of the side of your mouth” means and how you can use it correctly.

What Does “Talking Out of the Side of Your Mouth” Mean?

“Talking out of the side of your mouth” means that you are lying or speaking privately. It has two meanings associated with it, one of which comes from the extended idiom “speaking out of both sides of your mouth. ” Lying is the most common meaning associated with the word.

When someone is speaking out of the side of their mouth, it often means that they are saying one thing to you, but something completely different to another person. This is akin to lying, and it often doesn’t take much to figure out that these people aren’t honest.

On the flip side, if someone is talking out of both sides of their mouth, then they are trying to say something privately. They are basically whispering by talking out of the side of their mouth so that nobody else can hear them.

The two meanings are very different, and you should not use them interchangeably. Since lying is more commonly associated with this idiom, it’s best to stick to “taking out of the side of your mouth” as a lying idiom.

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Example Sentences

If you would like to know how to use this idiom in a sentence, you can refer to the following:

You’re doing nothing but talking out of the side of your mouth. What makes you think I’m going to believe you.
Stop speaking out of the side of your mouth. It isn’t a good look, and I can already tell that you’re not consistent with what you say.
If you’re going to talk out of the side of your mouth, maybe you should come up with a better lie than that one.
I have got to speak out of the side of my mouth right now. I don’t want anybody else to hear what I have to say, but it’s very important.
You’re not going to keep talking out of the side of your mouth, are you? I can’t keep up with all the deceit!
Talking out of the side of your mouth isn’t ideal in this family. If you’ve got something to say, you should just be honest and say it.
I didn’t mean to speak out of the side of my mouth, but I really didn’t think it was wise for anyone else to hear that.

You can use the phrase to reference somebody’s lying. It often calls them out for being deceitful or malicious when telling a lie. Many people won’t know how to respond if you use an idiom like this because they’ll know they’ve been caught out.

Variations of “Talking Out of the Side of Your Mouth”

There are some variations of this idiom that you might have come across as well. Check out some of these to see if you’re familiar:

Talking out of the side of your neck
Talking out of the corner of your mouth
Talking out of both sides of your mouth

All of these variations are used in very similar ways. You’ll often find them being used when referring to someone that is clearly lying:

Do you have to keep talking out of the side of your neck? I already know that you’re full of it!
He is talking out of the corner of his mouth, and I can’t quite understand why he would do that.
Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth already. I’m already wise to you and your antics!

“Talking Out of the Side of Your Mouth” – Synonyms

Perhaps you’d also like to check out a few synonyms that you might be able to use:

Lie through your teeth
Pull the wool over my eyes
Nothing but smoke and mirrors
Bend the truth
Pull a fast one
Lying
Deceiving

Final Thoughts

“Talking out of the side of your mouth” means that you or someone else is lying. You will often say one thing to someone but a completely different lie to another person. It could signify that you are speaking privately, but this meaning is much less common.

You may also like: 10 Words For Someone Who Lies All The Time

Is my tongue my doctor? What diseases can be recognized by the organ of taste. — FSBI "NMITs TPM" of the Ministry of Health of Russia

The tongue is one of the most important organs in the body. It contains receptors that allow you to recognize all the shades of taste of products that enter the oral cavity.

As scientists noted in ancient times, human language has a connection with various organs of the body. When diagnosing, they divided it into conditional parts: basal, middle and tip. And it was believed that with the pathology of one or another organ, the lesion would be noted strictly in one of these areas. In what diseases leave their mark on the language, AiF.ru figured out together with professor, MD, head of the laboratory for the development of an interdisciplinary approach in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "State Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of Russia", an expert of the "League of Nation's Health" Mehman Mamedov .

Color range

During the examination, a doctor is often asked to show his tongue. And they do it not out of idle curiosity. After all, even by the color of the tongue it is quite possible to determine whether there is a particular disease. So, for example, the tongue of a healthy person should be pale pink: this is what is accepted as the norm. If there is a white coating on the tongue, we can talk about fungal infections of the body or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. A gray tongue is usually the result of chronic pathologies. Bright red - will indicate infectious and inflammatory processes in the human body, if the red color has a shade of scarlet, doctors will suspect problems with the circulatory system. Burgundy tint is a clear sign of an acute infectious process. The tongue is part of the gastrointestinal tract, and is also associated with the respiratory system, because. is located in the oral cavity. With stomach and duodenal ulcers, problems with the gallbladder, liver and intestines, there may be changes in the color of the tongue. Each disease has its own manifestations - somewhere it can be more contrast, somewhere lighter. nine0003

It also happens that the color of the tongue changes up to blue and purple. In this case, they talk about problems with mild or severe kidney ailments. Yellowing of the tongue is not only a characteristic feature of a heavy smoker, but also a signal of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. With a lack of vitamins in the human body, the tongue may even lose color.

It should be borne in mind that too dark and saturated shade is a sign of problems that require immediate medical attention, or even hospitalization. nine0003

Additional factors

However, not only the color matters. If the tongue is too dry, the following diagnoses can be made: dehydration, intestinal obstruction, peritonitis. Often, dryness of the tongue is noted with an increase in body temperature. If the situation approaches critical, the organ of taste may even crack due to dryness. In this case, an additional threat is created: it is easily infected with bacteria, as a result of which suppuration and severe inflammation begin.

Of particular importance is the type of coating on the tongue. So, if he is thin, then the disease is in the initial phase, and if he is frankly fat and fat, then the problem most likely lies in the pathologies of the gastrointestinal system: this usually happens if mucus has accumulated there and food stagnates. Spotted and purple plaque indicates the development of blood stasis. Malfunctions in the digestive system will lead to the fact that the tongue will become a little swollen, it will be wet. In this case, it is recommended to check for gastritis, cholecystitis, ulcers and even appendicitis. nine0003

Doctors pay special attention to the place of plaque accumulation. So, if it is more adjacent to the root of the tongue, then problems are noted in the large intestine: most likely, a lot of human waste products have accumulated there that cannot find a way out. Plaque in the middle indicates problems in the small or duodenum, stomach. If the plaque is so thick, and the tongue is so swollen that you can see the imprints of the teeth along the edge, you need to reconsider your diet: with a high degree of probability, it can be argued that the intestines cannot cope with the food that a person eats. nine0003

The presence of deep wrinkles and cracks located across should alert and send to a neurologist - as a rule, such a problem manifests itself with a predisposition to vascular disorders of the brain.

The tongue can even indicate serious heart and vascular problems, which can occur without any symptoms for some time. So, for example, a tongue slightly shifted to the side or slightly twisted will indicate a hemorrhagic stroke, cerebrovascular accident, problems with the functioning of the cerebellum. nine0003

An increase in the volume of the organ of taste may be the result of problems with the thyroid gland, malfunctions of the pituitary gland or mental disorders.

Trembling and grainy

Sometimes a person may notice that his tongue ... trembles. This condition indicates nervousness and problems with the central nervous system. Doctors recommend in such a situation to change the psychological environment, as well as work on your lifestyle. It is also worth checking with a doctor if a decrease in taste sensations has begun. After all, it does not develop out of the blue: there must be a reason why a person no longer feels the tastes to which he is accustomed. Moreover, it is important to understand that there are certain zones and areas on the tongue that are responsible for the reaction to different tastes: spicy, salty, sweet, etc. If a failure is noted in any of the parts, this may indicate that the nervous or the endocrine system. The loss of taste of the taste buds of the tongue is manifested as a result of a violation of metabolic processes in the human body, as well as failures in the central system of various etiologies, with the development of anemia and in the presence of oncological diseases. nine0003

Also, people often begin to notice that the tongue has become rougher: this is due to an increase in the size of the papillae on the surface of the organ. When swollen papillae are localized at the tip, it is worth being examined by a cardiologist. If the tongue becomes "spiky" around the edges, you need to check the liver. The affected middle part of the tongue indicates problems in the stomach and intestines. At the same time, it’s not worth rejoicing when the tongue becomes smooth and “mirror-like”. After all, this is also a pathology. This happens with anemia, exhaustion or severe pathologies of the stomach. nine0003

causes and treatments Articles

04.10.2012 14:43

ZOOM4 whitening (+ complex hygiene + set for home whitening and repair therapy) - 30000 rub

Causes of tooth discoloration

Discoloration of the teeth can occur both from the surface of the teeth and from the side of the pulp cavity. Tooth discoloration is conditionally divided into external (located on the surface of the tooth) and internal (located in the thickness of the tooth). Outer color changes can transform into inner ones over time. nine0003

Widespread superficial staining of viable pulp teeth is the result of consumption of drinks or foods high in dyes. Tobacco causes yellow-brown or dark staining, usually in the isthmus of the teeth and mainly on the lingual surfaces. When chewed, tobacco quickly penetrates the enamel and forms even darker stains, and marijuana can give clear rings in the cervical part of the teeth near the gingival margin. Coffee and tea cause the formation of pronounced and persistent brown or black spots on the tooth enamel. nine0045
Internal staining can be caused by drugs such as tetracycline. Teeth are most sensitive to tetracycline staining during the formation period, i.e. from the second trimester of pregnancy until about 8 years of age. It is believed that tetracycline molecules are absorbed by dentin during the mineralization of teeth. If teeth stained with tetracycline are exposed to sunlight, they gradually acquire a dark gray or brown tint. Since tetracycline is absorbed by the dentin during the period of mineralization of the buds, adults with already developed teeth can use antibiotics without the risk of discoloration of the teeth. However, a semi-synthetic tetracycline derivative used to treat acne has recently been found to cause tooth staining in adolescents. It is believed that tooth pigmentation occurs due to the ability of minocycline to form chelates with iron and create insoluble complexes. nine0045
In areas where drinking water contains a large amount of fluorine, children during the period of development of enamel and mineralization of tooth germs can absorb an excess amount of fluoride, which causes a violation of the metabolism of ameloblasts, leads to the formation of a defective matrix and improper mineralization - endemic enamel fluorosis. There are two types of dental lesions in fluorosis: discoloration and superficial defects. Affected teeth usually have a shiny surface and may be papery white with areas of yellow or brown (sometimes black) discoloration. nine0045
Fillings and restorations also often cause discoloration of the teeth. Destructuring of tooth-colored restorative materials, such as acrylic materials, glass ionomer cements, or composites, over time results in a gray or less saturated tooth color. Metal fillings and inlays made of amalgam, silver and gold alloys can show through the enamel.
Oils, iodine compounds, nitrates, root canal filling materials, posts and other restorative materials can also cause discoloration of teeth. The degree of staining of the teeth is determined by the length of time during which these substances penetrated into the dentinal tubules. nine0045
Teeth staining can also occur in systemic diseases. Although there are quite a few genetic or childhood diseases that discolor teeth, most of them are rare.

Examples of such states are:

Green-blue or brown discoloration of primary teeth seen in children with hemolytic jaundice in infancy. These spots are the result of postnatal staining of the dentin with bilirubin and biliverdin. nine0045
Characteristic brown staining of the teeth caused by the destruction of a large number of red blood cells in fetal erythroblastosis as a consequence of the incompatibility of the Rh factors of the fetal matter.
Reddish-brown discoloration of the teeth in individuals with porphyria, a very rare disease in which an excessive amount of pigment is produced.

Changes in the color, shape and structure of teeth almost inevitably occur with aging. The nature and extent of such changes depend on a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle and various bad habits. Years of smoking and drinking coffee have a cumulative staining effect. These and other types of plaque become even more visible due to the inevitable formation of cracks and other changes in the surface of the teeth within their crystalline structure, in the underlying dentin and pulp. In addition to abrasion and trauma to the teeth, old amalgam fillings and other restorations may begin to break down. Even with a very careful approach to these problems, teeth will change their color with age due to natural abrasion, as well as as a result of exposure to the oral environment. Enamel thinning usually occurs first. In this case, the buccal surface of the tooth becomes flatter and due to the loss of the transparent enamel layer, a gradual change in the color of the tooth occurs. As the enamel thins, secondary dentin begins to form due to the natural defense mechanism in the dentin and pulp. This increased mass of dentin begins to darken. Thin enamel combined with darkened dentin gives the teeth a more "old" look. nine0045
White spots, symmetrically located on the teeth of the same name, may be a symptom of enamel hypoplasia. One of the features of spots with hypoplasia is that they are not stained with dyes, and the outer layer of enamel remains smooth and shiny. Chalk-like teeth may be the result of excessive whitening, prolonged use of soda for this purpose. Small chalky stripes - strokes located in the subsurface layers of the enamel are characteristic of the dashed form of fluorosis. The spotted form of fluorosis is characterized by the presence of chalky spots without stripes. The chalk-mottled form of fluorosis is distinguished by considerable diversity. Usually, tooth enamel has a matte tint, and pigmented spots with clear boundaries are visible against this background. Sometimes a large number of spots and dots are found on the enamel. A pronounced whitish color may be due to dense plaque formed as a result of insufficient or improper individual oral hygiene. nine0045
Depulped teeth lose their characteristic luster and acquire a more grayish tint. A similar and sometimes more intense discoloration is seen in teeth with pulpal necrosis. Gray discoloration can also be due to poisoning with heavy metals - mercury and lead.
Teeth with a greenish tint appear when their surface is affected by specific fungi. Green staining can occur when a tooth comes into contact with copper amalgam fillings. Yellow teeth can be the result of exposure to bromine and iodine vapors, as well as the constant use of strong tea and coffee. A dark brown border often appears in smokers. Dark brown (up to black) color of teeth can appear during professional contacts with metals (manganese, iron, nickel). A change in the color of the tooth crown can occur immediately after an injury, especially in the cervical area on the palatal side, where the enamel layer is thinner, which is a diagnostic sign of an injury. Thus, discoloration of the teeth is clinically manifested by a wide variety of shades. nine0045

Teeth whitening

Changing the color and brightness of teeth is one of the most frequently requested procedures by patients at the dentist today. Geographically, all modern teeth whitening technologies take their development from the United States of America.

At different times and different peoples had their own idea of beauty. And what one culture perceives as beautiful, another may consider ugly. For example, in Japan, more than 4 thousand years ago, there was a tradition of decorative staining of teeth. This procedure was considered cosmetic, and its main result was to impart a dark brown color to the enamel of the teeth. nine0003

The harmony of color, together with the integrity of symmetry and proportionality, is the basic criterion for aesthetics in composition. Therefore, patients also believe that among the factors affecting the attractiveness of a smile, the color of the teeth is the most important. Demand for beauty services has skyrocketed in recent years across the board.

It is necessary to distinguish between such concepts as clarification and whitening of teeth

→ Tooth whitening

nine0002 is the return of their natural color due to the mechanical removal of surface pigment deposits. Teeth whitening occurs due to the removal of supragingival and subgingival dental deposits with ultrasound. Removal of plaque with the Airflow. Polishing of teeth with brushes with special abrasive pastes. These manipulations will lighten your teeth to the natural color given to you by nature.

→ Whitening

is already a change in the shade of the tooth due to the release of atomic oxygen, which penetrates into the enamel and dentin of the tooth and breaks down the pigment. There are several methods of teeth whitening. All professional whitening methods are divided into clinical (the procedure is performed by a dentist in a dental office) and home (the patient independently uses mouth guards with whitening gel at home). Clinical whitening systems come with a light and chemical activator. Traditionally, hydrogen peroxide is used in clinical systems - 25 -38%. Such systems are able to whiten teeth up to 15 tones. Home systems contain a lower percentage of hydrogen peroxide, up to 10%. The effectiveness of home whitening is significantly lower - from 1 to 8 tones. As for the agents that form the basis of any bleaching system, nothing has fundamentally changed since 1884, when Harlan first proposed the use of hydrogen peroxide. The advantage of professional whitening is that the procedure is carried out and supervised by a doctor. nine0003

Indications for teeth whitening

The patient's desire to have their teeth whiter.
Mild to moderate fluorosis.
Age-related discoloration of teeth (yellowing).
Staining due to bad habits.
Penetrating staining from frequent consumption of coloring foods and drinks.

Contraindications

General

nine0043

Age of the patient (underage children and adolescents).

Pregnancy and lactation.

Allergic reactions to bleaching agents.

Taking photosensitive drugs such as doxycycline, tretinoin, ciprovloxacin, hydrochlorothioside, etc.

General diseases: oncological and endocrine diseases, bronchial asthma, hypertension.

Exaggerated patient expectations from the whitening procedure. nine0045

Local

The presence of carious cavities, fillings, restorations, crowns in the area of bleaching.
Wide pulp chamber.
Enamel hyperesthesia (increased tooth sensitivity).
Significant loss of enamel as a result of pathological and age.
Acute and aggravated periodontal diseases.
Diseases of the oral mucosa.
Diseases of the temporomandibular joint accompanied by limited mouth opening. nine0045
The patient has a pronounced gag reflex.

Possible complications

The appearance of hyperesthesia (may last from several hours to several days). To eliminate it, it is necessary to conduct a course of remtherapy before and after the whitening procedure. Use of desincitizers, special rinses and pastes for sensitive teeth.
Irritation of the oral mucosa (burning).
Color regression. Within 2 weeks after the whitening procedure, the oxidation process changes the optical qualities of the tooth, giving it a more opaque appearance. After 2 weeks, the oxygen dissipates, and the tooth acquires a real light shade. nine0045
Change in taste sensations. It is temporary.

To save the results, the patient must follow the following guidelines

Follow the rules of individual oral hygiene every day.
Do not eat coloring foods for the first 48 hours after the whitening procedure, follow a transparent diet for the next 2 weeks.
Regularly visit the dentist at least once every six months. nine0045
Repeated whitening course after 1.5-2 years (if necessary).

Teeth whitening procedure

Questionnaire
History taking
Determining the cause of tooth discoloration
Presence of indications and contraindications.
Discussion of complications and side effects after teeth whitening procedure.
Discussion of patient behavior after a course of whitening. nine0045
Registration of the patient's informed voluntary consent for the whitening procedure.
Determination of the initial color of the teeth is carried out according to the Vita scale + photographs.
Professional oral hygiene.
Application of a protective gel to the mucous membrane.
Teeth whitening gel application (3 x 15 min sessions)
Registration of the obtained results (color on the Vita scale + photographs, presence of complications)
Conducting a course of remtherapy after the whitening procedure. nine0045
Recommendations after the whitening procedure, individual selection of oral hygiene products, appointment of a re-examination date.
Re-inspection. Determination of the need for a second course of bleaching. To maintain the stability of the results - the appointment of products for home teeth whitening (if necessary)
Repeat whitening procedure (if necessary).

Whitening toothpastes

nine0002 Patients often ask: is it enough to use whitening toothpaste to whiten teeth?

The main purpose of whitening toothpastes is to maintain the result achieved by professional whitening.

Whitening agents added to toothpastes:

Plaque dissolvers (proteolytic enzymes: bromelain, papain)
Cleansers (sodium bicarbonate)
Anti-plaque agents (xylitol, bromelain, triclosan with copolymer)
Plaque mineral inhibitors (pyrophosphates, zinc citrate)

When deciding to use toothpastes with a whitening effect, there are a number of things to consider: Toothpastes based on polishing abrasives are widely used on the market.

Learn more