HEALTH- Color of the tongue
The
colour, texture and moisture of your tongue can be key in determining
the overall state of your health. Here are some keys changes to look out
for.
The
tongue consists of a group of muscles that allow us to taste food, to
swallow, and to talk. Naturopath Laurence Kirk of The British College of
Naturopath and Osteopathy says “Your
tongue is richly supplied with blood vessels, and thanks to a constant
flow of saliva, it is constantly being cleaned which discourages harmful
bacteria forming in the mouth area. However, if a person is unwell, a
problem can often be detected by simply looking at the tongue.”A
single glance at your tongue can provide tell tale signs of what is
going on within your body. When your tongue becomes discolored, swollen,
stiff, sore or displays unusual features, take notice – your tongue is
trying to tell you something.
Sometimes
a change in its’ appearance can be an indication of a simple vitamin
deficiency or merely a sign you need to pay a little more attention to
dental hygiene. But in some instances it can be a sign of something more
serious that needs medical attention.
Like
many other health indicators, take a close look at your tongue in the
mirror, then compare what you find with these tongue health warnings and
know what is normal for you and your mouth. A healthy normal tongue
should be pink in color with no imbalances or patches of differing
texture or colour. This shows a well balanced and functioning body.
The tiny bumps on a tongues surface are sometimes referred to as ‘hairs’, or papillae,
and can sometimes turn black as a result of trapping bacteria and
yeast. The color can also be attributed to the papillae becoming stained
by some foods and tobaccos. Often poor oral hygiene is a major factor.
This is a harmless but unsightly condition often referred to as ‘Black Hairy Tongue’.
However,
some antibiotics, mouthwashes and other medications can be responsible.
It can be a sign of dehydration or drinking too much coffee. Heavy
smokers may also suffer from this. It can result in a metallic taste in
your mouth and bad breath. Use a tongue scraper or soft toothbrush to
clean the tongue regularly and be sure to brush and floss your teeth
properly. Consult a physician if this lasts more than 10 days.
As
with a black hairy tongue, this is a result of trapped bacteria. The
papillae can become inflamed through being dehydrated, breathing through
the mouth instead of nose, suffering from a fever or heavy smoking. As
with black tongue ensuring meticulous oral hygiene should clear the
problem, quickly returning the tongue to a healthy pink.
Some people develop a white coloured coating or white spots appear on the tongue surface. This can have several causes:
Oral thrush –
a yeast infection, or candida, can result in white sores appearing both
on your tongue and mucus membrane lining of the mouth. People suffering
from immune disorders and denture wearers are more at risk as are young
infants and elderly people. Candida is also a common side effect in
patients prescribed some harsh antibiotics.
Leukoplakia —
Leukoplakia is a condition where there is an excessive growth of cells
resulting in white patches inside the mouth as well as on the tongue.
This most commonly occurs following any tongue irritation and is more
common amongst smokers. It is usually harmless but can be a precursor to
oral cancer – note changes and seek medical advice.
‘Strawberry
tongue’ is so called as the red taste buds become swollen and appear to
dot the surface of the normally smooth tongue just like the seeds of a
strawberry. This can be as a result of the following:
Vitamin deficiency –
Check your diet. Increase your levels of folic acid and vitamin B-12,
by diet or supplement, as being deficient in these can cause your tongue
to take on a reddish appearance.
Scarlet fever –
This streptococcal infection often causes strawberry tongue. Contact
your doctor immediately if you have a high fever and red tongue.
Kawasaki disease –
Kawasaki disease (KD) is more common in children less than 5 years old,
although it can also affect some older children or teenagers. It is a
disorder characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels throughout
the body. This can manifest itself as strawberry tongue alongside a high
fever – seek medical advice.
A
spot on the tongue that has turned brown or darkly discolored could
possibly be a form of skin cancer called melanoma. Seek medical advice
if you notice such changes.
Do you have a painful tongue in any area, or have small sore bumps appeared? Here are the main reasons these can occur:
Diabetes
and anemia can cause a sore tongue. Smoking can irritate a sensitive
tongue and cause soreness Scalding is common if you eat food that is too
hot, or bite your tongue whilst chewingSome women report a burning
feeling in their tongues post-menopauseStress can result in canker sores
An irritated or infected taste bud can cause the papillae to swell and become painfulOral cancer is more common amongst smokers and drinkers, consult a physician if a lump or sore spot lasts longer than 2 weeks.
Cracks
or small cuts on the surface of the tongue can indicate a fungal
infection such as oral thrush and can also mean increased sweating,
irritability and trouble sleeping.
The
absence of feeling or sensations on your tongue most commonly occurs
following damage to your nervous system. This could be following dental
procedures including wisdom tooth extraction, root canal work or dental
implants.
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