What Your Tongue Can Tell You About Your Health
For clues about problems in your mouth, stick out your tongue and look in the mirror. A healthy tongue should be pink and covered with small nodules (papillae). Any deviation from your tongue’s normal appearance, or any pain, may be cause for concern.
Your tongue could reveal surprising secrets about your health. From anemia, to autoimmune diseases, to food allergies, the tongue can sometimes be a good indicator of your overall health.
Check out these common tongue-related health conditions to see if your mouth might hold the secret to what's bothering you.
If your tongue has a white coating or white spots
Oral thrush: a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. It appears as white patches that are often the consistency of cottage cheese. “Oral thrush is most commonly seen in infants and the elderly, especially denture wearers, or in people with weakened immune systems,” “People with diabetes and those who are taking inhaled steroids for asthma or lung disease can also get it. Oral thrush is more likely to occur after you’ve taken antibiotics.”
Leukoplakia: a condition in which the cells in the mouth grow excessively, which leads to white patches on the tongue and inside the mouth.
Leukoplakia can develop when the tongue has been irritated,“It’s often seen in people who use tobacco products. Leukoplakia can be a precursor to cancer, but isn’t inherently dangerous by itself. If you see what you think could be leukoplakia, contact your dentist for an evaluation.”
If your tongue is red
A red tongue could be a sign of:
Vitamin deficiency: “Folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiencies may cause your tongue to take on a reddish appearance,”
Geographic tongue: This condition causes a map-like pattern of reddish spots to develop on the surface of your tongue. “These patches can have a white border around them, and their location on your tongue may shift over time, Geographic tongue is usually harmless.
Scarlet fever: an infection that causes the tongue to have a strawberry-like (red and bumpy) appearance. “If you have a high fever and a red tongue, you need to see your family doctor, Antibiotics are necessary to treat scarlet fever.
If your tongue is sore or bumpy
Painful bumps on your tongue can be due to:
Trauma: Accidentally biting your tongue or scalding it on something straight out of the oven can result in a sore tongue until the damage heals, Grinding or clenching your teeth can also irritate the sides of your tongue and cause it to become painful.
Smoking: Smoking irritates your tongue, which can cause soreness.
Canker sores: mouth ulcers. Many people develop canker sores on the tongue at one time or another, The cause is unknown, but stress is believed to be a factor. Canker sores normally heal without treatment within a week or two.
Oral cancer: A lump or sore on your tongue that doesn’t go away within two weeks could be an indication of oral cancer, Keep in mind that many oral cancers don’t hurt in the early stages, so don’t assume a lack of pain means nothing is wrong.
Watch your tongue!
Everyone should check their tongue on a daily basis when they brush their teeth and tongue. “Any discoloration, lumps, sores or pain should be monitored and evaluated by a medical professional if they don’t go away within two weeks,
