What Your Tongue Says About Your Health
Enlarged/Swollen Tongue: An enlarged, swollen tongue could be caused by a number of conditions, including strep throat, Down's Syndrome, leukemia, cancer and hypothyroidism.. It can also be a mild side effect of a hangover or an allergic reaction to medication or food.
Red Tongue: When a tongue's healthy pink color changes to bright or dark red, it could be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, particularly that you may not be getting enough folic acid, vitamin B-12 or B3. But a temporary redness and pain is most likely caused by something you ate or drank. Sensitivity to certain flavors of toothpastes or mouthwashes are common culprits, as well as acidic foods.
Turning Yellow: A yellowish tint on the tongue can be a sign of a bacterial or fungal infection in the mouth. It can also be related to gastric reflux.
Smooth, Pale Tongue: When people are suffering from iron-deficiency anemia, the tongue will appear abnormally pale and smooth. This can also indicate a sign of nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin B-12.
Fissured Tongue: This is a harmless condition in which deep grooves form on the tongue's surfaces. It is usually an inherited trait that occurs in 10% of the population.
White Tongue: A white coating on the tongue can be a sign of dehydration. It can also be caused by smoking or drinking. And it can also be a sign of thrush, which is an infection of the mouth caused by a particular yeast.
Geographic Tongue: This condition is characterized by smooth, red patches on the top of the tongue. The patches can change in size and color from day to day (and have a map-like, or geographic, appearance). It is a harmless condition and can sometimes be triggered by stress, hormones, or allergies.
It is important to keep your tongue clean and healthy. In fact, it is the number one reason for bad breath. Brushing and scraping your tongue with a tongue scraper should be a routine part of your oral health care. Tongue scrapers are inexpensive and it only takes 10 to 15 seconds to do: just slide the scraper gently over your tongue and repeat three or four times to reach the entire surface.
Make sure your dentist does a thorough exam of your tongue at your dental visit. Oral cancer is common on the side of the tongue and is usually painless.
For any questions visit us at www.KLFamilyDental.com