When it’s healthy, the muscle organ that aids in speaking, tasting, and swallowing has a certain appearance.
Consider the tongue as the body’s equivalent of a check-engine light if the eyes are the windows to the soul. Doctors may learn information about your health from the look of your tongue, and its hue is a key indicator.
How should your tongue appear?
The tongue should be symmetrical and rounded. It is typically pale pink, however certain African, Asian, and Mediterranean people may have a hint of purple or brown coloring. Additionally, it could be somewhat coated with white.
“The coating comes from a tough protein called keratin, which helps keep your tongue from being scratched when you eat,” explains Dr. Tien Jiang, a prosthodontist in the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
Your tongue is covered with microscopic bumps (papillae) that can be seen up close and have a variety of functions.
They can detect touch and temperature.
They have taste receptors that let you know if food is savory, sweet, salty, sour, or bitter.
They cause friction to aid in the formation of a small meal ball (bolus) for swallowing.
Is tongue color influenced by diet?
Yes. Sometimes a change in tongue tone may be partially attributed to nutrition. This is so that the colors and flavors of the food and drink you ingest may be absorbed by the papillae. For instance, the blue candy or popsicle you had as a child certainly caused your tongue to become an exciting hue of azure. Ink may be left behind by coffee, tea, and a variety of meals, including curries that include a lot of yellow turmeric.
But most discoloration is just transient. Food particles and colors that adhere to the tongue can be washed away by drinking plenty of water and practicing proper dental hygiene.
White spots, a black or bright tongue, and other issues should raise suspicion
Some tongue hues and patterns indicate health problems. Consult your physician if you have any of the following symptoms:
A black or brown tongue indicates a condition known as “black hairy tongue.” When papillae become too long, this happens. Due of the continuous shedding caused by the action in your mouth, these little pimples typically don’t have a lot of opportunity to develop. If they do develop, they may get contaminated by a variety of food colors and microorganisms, giving the meal a brown or black tint. Antibiotic or antihistamine use, smoking, dry mouth, heavy coffee or black tea use, and poor oral hygiene are all risk factors.
Thrush, or an excess of yeast in the mouth, is likely the cause of thick white patches or white sores on the tongue. Wearing dentures, smoking, dry mouth, taking steroid inhalers, having diabetes or HIV, or experiencing the negative effects of antibiotics or cancer therapy can all cause thrush. White spots or lesions can occasionally be signs of oral cancer.
If you have painful red or yellow sores on your tongue, you may have canker sores (irritated tissues), thrush (which occasionally manifests as red patches), or, in extremely rare circumstances, oral cancer.
Bright red tongue can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency or scarlet fever, a throat illness caused by the Streptococcus bacterium that is also followed by a red body rash. You could have “geographic tongue,” a harmless, incurable illness, if you have bright red spots on your tongue that move about and don’t hurt.
Should you scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper or brush it?
You must floss your teeth at least once each day and brush them at least twice per day to practice good oral hygiene. Use the brush on your tongue for a few seconds.
“Stick out your tongue and use your toothbrush to make three swipes down the centre, left side, and right side of your tongue from the rear to the front. This helps clear out germs and debris that build up in the papillae, according to Dr. Jiang.
For tongue cleaning, some individuals swear by using a tongue scraper. Although Dr. Jiang isn’t a fan, he doesn’t mind if someone uses the instrument, which is moved forward on the tongue in a manner akin to brushing it. She claims that there is conflicting evidence on tongue scrapers’ efficacy. It simply depends on what you’re prepared to do on a daily basis to maintain the healthiest possible condition of your tongue, teeth, mouth, and gums.
Concerned with your tongue? Things to do
Call your primary care physician or dentist if you have any concerns about anything with your tongue, particularly if you also have a fever, a very painful throat, sores that won’t heal, or any new symptoms.
Your physician or dentist
evaluate your health
prescription or recommend remedies for pain relief, such as medicated mouthwashes or warm-water rinses, and they also advise you to increase your dental hygiene routine and drink enough of water.
Your doctor might recommend a specialist to you if more testing is required.