The tongue is an essential part of our oral structure. It aids us in chewing and swallowing and enables our sense of taste. The tongue is made up of many nerves that transmit signals to our brain dictating the taste of different food, but that is not the only reason why it is an important part of our body.
The tongue can help us learn a lot about our body's overall health. Your tongue is naturally supposed to be pink in color. If it is not pink, that means there is something wrong with your health.
White Tongue
If you have a white coating on your tongue, it could signify a yeast overgrowth in your mouth. The condition is known as oral thrush and is nothing to be alarmed about as long as you seek treatment for it. The white coating could also be because of poor oral hygiene. Brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. If the coating goes away, you have nothing to worry about. If it doesn't, you should visit your dentist.
White Patches
White patches on the tongue are a symptom of tongue irritation, usually because of excessive smoking or alcohol use. The condition is called Leukoplakia, and the treatment for that is to quit smoking. If you do notice white patches, you should visit your dentist to ease the irritation and ensure it is not a sign of oral cancer.
Extremely Red Tongue
A red tongue can be a symptom of Kawasaki disease, or it could be because of vitamin B-12 or folic acid deficiency. You can add a supplement to your diet to solve the issue. We suggest getting a check-up to rule out any serious health problems.
Red Bumps or Patches
Irregular red bumpy patches on the tongue can be a sign of the oncoming of really high fever. You may want to take lots of rest and avoid overstressing yourself or traveling long distances.
Sensitive or Sore Tongue
You could be developing a canker sore if your tongue is sensitive and sore in one particular spot. You need not worry, though, as they heal on their own within a few days.
Hairy Tongue
Protein overgrowth is often the underlying cause of hairy growth on the tongue. Brushing your tongue regularly and thoroughly can solve the problem. If it does not, you should visit your dentist.
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Dental Blog | Tania Tran, DMD - Grove Street Family Dentistry Dr. Tania Tran has provided this educational blog as a resource for the community. We hope that this blog will cover subjects you may be interested in. Call us! Grove Street Family Dentistry - Tania Tran, DMD, 1533 Grove Street, Marysville, WA 98270-4325 - (360) 659-3200 - grovestreetdentist.com - 12/6/2024 - Page Keywords: dentist -
The tongue is an essential part of our oral structure. It aids us in chewing and swallowing and enables our sense of taste. The tongue is made up of many nerves that transmit signals to our brain dictating the taste of different food, but that is not the only reason why it is an important part of our body. 