As a dentist’s office, it might seem like we focus primarily on those pearly whites, BUT all parts of your mouth play an important role in your oral health. We always suggest asking, “is my tongue healthy” to our team. Did you know that your tongue is much more valuable than blowing raspberries and tasting foods? This body part can indicate a lot of very important health standpoints. Of course, we don’t want to act on what our tongues can tell us alone, but paying attention to it is a good idea!
Bumps & Soreness
Most common problems or issues we hear about are bumps under or on the sides of the tongue called canker sores. They appear as reddish, small, sometimes painful bumps that come and go randomly.
A virus can also cause a bunch of these to form at once. Usually these are nothing to be worried about. However, if you have a lump that hurts, does not disappear, and causes you to have trouble chewing or swallowing, let your doctor or dentist know. If your tongue is in pain, that can be a sign of oral cancer. Get screened just in case.
White Patches
White patches (Thrush) can appear on the tongue after an illness or from medications throwing off your mouth’s bacteria balance. If the patches look lacy, it could be Lichen Planus, which is when your immune system attacks the tissues in your mouth. If these patches are not easily scraped away and stick around, it could be a link to cancer, leukoplakia. Let your doctor know about them.
Hairy Tongue
We bet you didn’t know this was a thing! Your tongue can get hair-like stands where bacteria and food get caught. The hair can show up brown, black and even white. They should go away when you brush or scrape your tongue. If you have hairy white patches that don’t scrape off, address it with your doctor.
Fissured Tongue
As we age, harmless deep grooves can form. Pay extra attention to them when brushing to clear food and bacteria efficiently. Fissures can also be linked to Sjogren’s Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, and Psoriasis.
Smooth/Patchy Tongue
You might think having a smooth tongue is not a bad thing, but it could be an indicator of insufficient nutrients such as B vitamins, iron, and folic acid. Some medications, infections, and celiac disease can also cause this.
If you have a patchy mixture of smooth and bumpy areas, you could have a geographic tongue. It’s basically when your tongue looks like a map! Though it seems alarming, geographic tongue is usually totally harmless. Sometimes it can cause sensitivity to certain spices. When it is a problem, it is linked to Lichen Planus or Psoriasis.
Bright Red Tongue
If your tongue is bright red, smooth, and painful, it might be a sign that you aren’t getting enough B3. It’s also linked to an early sign of a very rare case called Kawasaki Disease usually affecting children. Bright red color on your tongue can also be a symptom of Scarlet Fever.
Burning Tongue
You might have Burning Mouth Syndrome if your tongue feels scalded and you can’t get the taste of metal or bitterness to go away. For some people, it could be like an allergic reaction to acidic foods, as well as candy, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Health problems such as diabetes, infections, acid reflux, and dry mouth might also be contributors.
Black Tongue
That title alone is enough to scare anyone, BUT it’s pretty much entirely harmless. It occurs when you have a hairy tongue or when you take an antacid containing the ingredient Bismuth. Mixed with saliva, this ingredient can stain your tongue. The stain usually disappears once you stop taking that antacid.
Bottom Line for Is My Tongue Healthy
First and foremost, we hope this information does not scare you, but makes you more aware. We don’t mean to sound like hypochondriacs, but certain body parts can really give us a lot of insight. Being mindful of what’s normal and what’s not is important to keep at your most optimal health!
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if something is normal or not. We understand! At Miami Valley Smiles, our team is here to answer any question, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Send us a message or schedule an appointment today!
