Did you ever wonder why your doctor asks you to stick out your tongue and say, “aaahhhh” at most visits? Your tongue reveals a lot about your health. The color, texture, and appearance of your tongue are clues to your diet, dental hygiene practices, and even if you have an underlying health issue.
If you’re like me, you probably haven’t given your tongue much thought. But consider this: your tongue has about 2,000 to 8,000 taste buds. In addition to tasting your food, your tongue helps you chew and swallow it. It also helps you speak and, of course, make funny faces and French kisses.
The only time you probably think about your tongue is on rare occasions when something doesn’t seem quite right. Maybe it stings, looks funny, or feels strange. Usually, problems with your tongue are temporary and don’t indicate a health issue. But, sometimes, a change in appearance or function is a sign of something more significant.
Here are some of the most common tongue-related issues and what you know about them.
Color change
Most tongues are salmon or light pink. If you notice that your tongue is a different shade, it may indicate an infection, that you’ve eaten a fruity popsicle, or something else. Other colors can mean different things. For example, a bright pink or red tongue usually indicates a deficiency in iron, folic acid, vitamin B-23, or an allergic reaction.
A white tongue or white patches can be a sign of poor oral hygiene or thrush, a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast that’s treated with antifungal medication. However, white patches that stick around and can’t be scraped or rinsed away may be a precursor to cancer.
Black tongue, also called hairy black tongue, sounds pretty gross. But, it occurs when the papillae, the small bumps that contain taste buds, get too long or swell. Food and bacteria can collect in these overgrown papillae, making your tongue look black or brown and slightly hairy. Your breath tends to be a bit hairy as well.
Smoking, dry mouth, and poor oral hygiene can contribute to a black hairy tongue. Diligent tongue scraping or brushing should help you shed the black hair. However, a black hairy tongue can also be a sign of the Epstein-Barr virus.
Sores or irritation
An irritated tongue could be the result of tangy or acidic food. A good swish of water should help the irritation subside.
Sores can be caused by various factors. Stress, dietary changes, hormonal fluctuations, or trauma to the mouth can lead to a canker sore, also called a fever blister, because it is often accompanied by a cold or fever.
While these canker sores can be painful and unsightly, they usually go away without treatment in about two weeks. If a sore on your tongue or mouth doesn’t heal within two to four weeks, it may be a sign of something more serious like cancer.
Swollen tongue
Your tongue may swell for various reasons, most of them benign. For example, biting your tongue or an allergy can cause it to swell. In most cases, a swollen tongue feels funny and makes it challenging to talk. However, if it becomes too swollen, usually through an allergic reaction, also called anaphylaxis, it can block your airways and make it difficult to breathe. In this case, it’s vital to call 911 and administer epinephrine.
Other reasons for tongue swelling include an infection through a piercing or a cut or a vitamin B-12 deficiency called glossitis. The name comes from the fact that your tongue swells so much that it disguises the papillae, making your tongue look smooth and glossy. Glossitis can be remedied with B-12 supplements if you’re not getting enough from food.
Bad breath
Good oral hygiene is one of the easiest ways to combat bad breath, which includes brushing or scraping your tongue daily. Scraping your tongue helps rid your mouth of odor-causing bacteria and gunk that can accumulate or stick to the grippy papillae.
Tongue health tips
Taking care of your tongue is as easy as taking care of your teeth and gums. In fact, you can accomplish both tasks at the same time. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and brushing or scraping your tongue daily will go a long way in keeping your teeth and tongue clean, healthy, and odor-free. Additionally, for your tongue, avoiding spicy food, drinking plenty of water, and quitting smoking will also help your tongue feel and look good.
Fortunately, most tongue issues are not severe and will heal without medical intervention. You can manage symptoms, though, until they resolve with over the counter treatments, though. However, if your tongue issue does not heal within a couple of weeks or you’re in pain, make an appointment with your dentist or medical provider.
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The post Caring for the Health of Your Tongue (Yes, Your Tongue!): Why it Matters & Everything to Know About Keeping Your Tongue Healthy first appeared on The Upside by Vitacost.com.