Oral health 5 things your tongue appearance says about your health

A tongue is able to reveal details about your health and that is why you should check it more often. Stick your tongue out after brushing and look at it keenly on the mirror to detect any possible changes.

Ordinarily, a healthy tongue should be pink in color with a thin white coating. If not so, your tongue is probably trying to tell you that something may be a miss with your overall health.

Watch out for any of these changes on your tongue and see a doctor if need be:

1. Change in color

When your tongue is red in color, it could be a sign that you are lacking Vitamin B12 and Iron which are necessary for the growth of papillae (the tiny raised protrusions on the surface of the tongue). It could also be an indicator of excess heat in the body such as that caused by fever.

A purplish or bluish tongue indicates that there is improper fluids and blood circulation in the body.

When your tongue is pale, it is a warning that there may not be enough blood in the body.

2. Thick coating

As earlier mentioned, the coating of the tongue should be light and thin. Therefore, if you notice a thick coating on your tongue, you probably should see a doctor. The thickness of the coating varies with the seriousness of the condition.

When the tongue has a thick white coating, it could be an indication of bacteria or yeast overgrowth. Usually, when the digestive system has health problems, it is reflected on the surface of the tongue.

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3. Bumps

A normal healthy tongue should have very small bumps. However, if you notice painful bumps on the surface of your tongue, side or below it, you should see a doctor. If they are not going away, the doctor can examine you for oral cancer.

4. Soreness

Your tongue may be sore because of certain medication. If you have not bit or injured your tongue, the soreness could also be as a result of infection or cancer especially if it has lumps. Check out with a dentist to make sure all is well.

5. Cracks

The cracks and fissures on your tongue are totally harmless. The problem comes in when bacteria breeds inside the clefts leading to infections. It could also be a sign that you are aging and you need to maintain maximum oral hygiene.