Your Tongue and Your Health
Did you know that your tongue can tell you a lot about your overall physical health? Changes in the tongue is a symptom of several possible conditions. Characteristics of the changes will vary and correspond to certain signs.
For example, if your tongue is white, it could mean that you are not cleaning it properly. Make sure that you brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper every day. If this doesn’t make the whiteness go away, you could have an oral yeast infection called thrush. Visit your dentist for treatment.
If your tongue seems to have hairs, it could be a sign of poor hygiene. However, this can also be a sign of diabetes. Talk to your dentist, and they will be able to refer you to your doctor if they suspect an illness.
Your tongue will turn bright red when you are deficient in certain vitamins. Folic acid, B12, and iron are all extremely important to your health. When these are depleted in the body, it will turn your tongue red. See your doctor so that they can determine the cause and prescribe a supplement if needed. A red tongue can also be a sign of fever or strep throat, so a doctor’s visit is recommended.
White and red spots indicate irritation of the tongue. This can happen if you burn your mouth on food that is too hot or if you eat sour or rough candy. Some people even have this problem after eating chips. The white and red spots will go away on their own, and the taste buds will regrow. Just make sure to stay away from the sour gummy worms until it’s healed.
Changes in the appearance of the tongue can also be a sign of oral cancer. If you do not know the cause of the changes in your tongue, see your dentist right away so that they can examine you. It is best to catch these things early.
If you are concerned about your tongue’s appearance, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help. Please keep in mind that our office is closed to elective procedures, and we may delay your initial exam. However, we can help you try different things to help you cope until you are able to come in.
