Surprising Things Your Tongue Can Reveal About Your Health

Strawberry Red

It could mean: You have a vitamin deficiency. A glossy, bright red tongue may be a sign your body is lacking iron or B12. “Vitamin B12 and iron are needed to mature papillae on the tongue. If you are deficient in those vitamins, you lose those papillae, which can make your tongue appear very smooth.

In severe cases, this “balding” can cause pain when eating hot liquids or spicy food. Vegetarians are especially prone to low levels of B12, which is found in certain meats.  If you are a vegetarian & noticed this balding supplements may help. This strawberry Red Balding tongue may also  be associated with an autoimmune disease in the GI tract, in which the stomach doesn’t absorb vitamins

 

 Black or Black Fuzz

 

 

 

It could mean: You don’t have the best oral hygiene. A tongue covered in dark hairs (actually called “black and hairy tongue”) may look nasty, but doctors agree that it's not cause for major concern.

Papillae are normally worn down by chewing and drinking, but sometimes they can become overgrown, which makes them more likely to harbor bacteria or become discolored from food. This can cause bad breath or taste abnormalities. Typically [black and hairy tongue] is brought on by smoking, drinking coffee and dark teas, or poor dental hygiene. Removing the offending cause, like smoking

& using a tongue scraper !

 

Wrinkles

   

       It could mean: You’re getting older (yes, even our tongues show signs of aging). Fissures and cracks in the tongue are typically harmless, but problems can arise if poor dental hygiene leads to infection within the crevices. Once in a while a fungal infection can develop inside the clefts. Sudden pain, a foul smell, and sometimes burning can occur with these wrinkles.  Often the infection is treated with a topical antifungal medication. Some dental appliances, like dentures, can also cause indentations on the tongue.  Make sure your removable appliances fit well, drink a lot of water & practice good oral hygiene esp. clean your tongue.

Small Patches of White

It could mean: Something is irritating your mouth. Painless white patches (called leukoplakia) are caused by an excess growth of cells. Often associated with smokers, the lesions have about a 5 to 17 percent chance of developing into cancer. In many cases, leukoplakia can reverse when you stop smoking.

Not a smoker? “The patches can also sometimes result just from the abrasion of the tooth constantly rubbing against the tongue. It is extremely important to see your dentist, if the lesion does not go away within 2 week

 

 Hills and Valleys

It could mean: Absolutely nothing. A very normal, common condition, “geographic tongue” refers to a tongue that looks like bumpy terrain. Typically harmless, geographic tongue affects between 1 and 14 percent of the U.S. population.  They can regenerate, so some go away and some don’t. Geographic tongue (also called: Migratory Glossitis ) typically requires no treatment or checkup, but if it becomes painful, a doctor may be able to prescribe an anti-inflammatory steroid paste or antihistamine rinse.


 

 Burning sensation

It could mean: You’re postmenopausal, or using the wrong toothpaste. If your tongue stings and burns as though it’s been scalded—but looks perfectly normal—hormonal changes could be to blame. Though burning tongue syndrome can happen to anybody (it affects up to 15 percent of the population), women are seven times more likely to experience it than men. It’s uncertain why this occurs, and the condition goes away in some individuals while it persists in others.

Some people can also experience burning sensations from developing an allergy to certain toothpastes. An ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which helps toothpaste get foamy, can cause stinging—sometimes suddenly. “Someone might be using one toothpaste their entire life, and then suddenly, their mouth starts hurting, try Sensodyne Tp. For other causes, a doctor may be able to prescribe treatments such as antibiotic rinses or pills for neuropathic pain.

Cottage Cheese White

 

 

It could mean: You have a yeast infection. A lumpy, white-coated tongue could be thrush, an oral yeast infection caused by overproduction of candida. The condition is often linked to antibiotics When you take an antibiotic, which selectively kills off bacteria, it can allow yeast, which is not killed by antibiotics, to take over, which might cause taste disturbances or a bit of pain, can also occur in those with weakened immune systems. Typical in young children, thrush also affects people with autoimmune diseases, people with diabetes that isn’t well controlled, chemotherapy patients, and the elderly.  Candidiasis( thrush)can be treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal products.

 Persistent Red Lesions

It could mean: You have signs of tongue cancer. Not be confused with a canker sore, which resolves itself within two weeks, red lesions or patches that don’t go away could be serious. Get it checked immediately. Though typically attributed to tobacco use, oral cancer can also be caused by the HPV virus. Get it checked out even if it’s not bothering you—many oral cancers don’t hurt in their early stages.