What Can Your Tongue Tell You?

Dental Health and Your Tongue

If you’re sick or stressed out, your tongue can tell the tale. Here are some common tongue conditions that can point to health problems. What is your tongue saying about you?

Bright Red Color

A glossy, bright red tongue might be a warning sign of a vitamin deficiency. People who need iron or vitamin B12 often have brightly colored tongues.

Why? When you’re healthy and have the right nutrient levels, those nutrients keep the tiny bumps—known as papillae—on your tongue healthy. Your papillae give your tongue a slightly whitewashed look. When they’re not healthy, they disappear and leave a bright red surface.

Other signs of vitamin deficiency are weakness, balance difficulties, and memory problems. Contact a doctor if you have these symptoms.

Sores and Spots

Canker sores—those tiny, painful sores on your tongue and cheeks--can be caused by stress. Although they usually clear up on their own, persistent or recurring cases can cause ongoing misery.

You can try home remedies for canker sores, including saltwater rinses and over-the-counter pain medications. If they persist or are severe, make an appointment with your dentist.

Geographic Tongue

A so-called geographic tongue seems to have little hills and valleys all over. This condition is unusual, and dentists aren’t sure what causes it. It may be the result of shrinking taste buds. Taste buds can and do regenerate, but sometimes, they come back in an uneven form. That results in a bumpy appearance on the tongue. Fortunately, this condition is harmless and nothing to worry about.

Thick White Coating

Does your tongue have a layer of thick, white lumps that look like cottage cheese? This is the primary sign of thrush, which is an oral yeast infection. Thrush is caused by an overproduction of candida, which is a type of bacteria in the mouth and other parts of the body.

Thrush is common among people with HIV/AIDs or other people who have weak immune systems. It can also be a side effect of chemotherapy or antibiotics.

Thrush can’t be treated with over-the-counter remedies. You must go to a doctor or urgent care clinic as soon as possible.

Yellow Color

A yellow tongue may look alarming, but it is often just a sign of mild bacterial overgrowth. To get it back to normal, be sure to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper when you brush your teeth. This will improve your oral hygiene and get the color back to normal.

Other causes of a yellow tongue might be:
• Smoking
• Chewing tobacco
• Psoriasis
• Jaundice

Check It Out

An examination of your tongue is part of any good oral health checkup. If you’re concerned about something your tongue is telling you, call Malan Family Dentistry today.