What Can Your Tongue Tell You About Your Oral Health?

Dr. Firoz Lalani

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Firoz Lalani

Table of Contents

No matter how concerned we get about dental hygiene we will always take our tongues for granted. Regardless of age, we use our tongues to taste all sorts of things. Texas dental care suggests to keep a good check on your tongue.

The tongue is so much more than a soft body part in the mouth. It plays a significant role in tasting and swallowing food. This further helps in the proper digestion of food. What you may not know is that dentists on airlines and Tidwell can figure out health ailments or detect serious conditions by taking a good look at your tongue.

Ever wondered what makes an expert diagnose a particular health condition or warn you about underlying disease simply through your tongue? Take a look!

  • Tender Tongue

If you spot or feel soreness in a small patch or all over your tongue, you could be suffering from canker sores or food allergies. Although it fades away with time, in case it doesn’t, don’t worry and make sure to consult an appointment with the best dental offices in Houston.

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  • White patches

White patches on the tongue could be a condition named leukoplakia that happens due to excess tobacco or smoking use. It happens if the topmost layer of the tongue is irritated due to toxic habits. It also happens after heavy medications and prolonged illness. If you spot white patches, schedule an appointment with adental care best dental Houston to be on the safe side. Early detection would prevent bigger conditions like oral cancer. All in all, it would be best to quit smoking as soon as you observe white patches on your tongue.

  • Overly Red Tongue

A pink, flushed tongue is healthy but an extremely red tongue is not a good sign. It is often related to Kawasaki disease symptoms that lead to inflamed blood vessels all over the body. It mostly happens to children. It could also be a sign of scarlet fever. However, according to the best dentist in Houston TX it can also be a sign of vitamin deficiency of B-12 or folic acid. The best solution to this condition would be to add a vitamin supplement or fresh green leafy vegetables to your diet. Still, a visit to the dentist 77060 is a good idea.

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  • Hairy Tongue

Yes, it exists. It might sound strange but it is not as worrisome as other conditions. It is caused due to elongated small bumps, usually due to protein build-up, that traps food particles. It appears like hair strands and as odd as it looks, tongue scraping and good brushing can treat it. In case it doesn’t, it could be oral hairy leukoplakia. This calls for a visit to a dental care greens road as it could also happen to people infected with HIV or Epstein-Barr.

  • Burning feeling

If a warm cup of coffee seems scalding and anything hot feels bitter or metallic in taste, you could be suffering from burning mouth syndrome. In simple terms, there could be an issue with the nerves in your tongue. Health conditions like infections, diabetes, acid reflux, and dry mouth mostly cause it. Experts at union dental Houston believe it could also be because of acidic agents like pineapple or certain mouthwashes, toothpaste, gums, and candies. The best solution would be to discuss the problem with your dentist and get a personalized consultation.

  • Macroglossia

It is an abnormal enlargement of the tongue. Why abnormal? because it is marginally bigger compared to your mouth. This is diagnosed by experts by finding teeth imprints on the sides of your tongue. Based on further tests, the underlying condition could be either allergies, hypothyroidism, or infection.

Your tongue can tell a lot about your overall health. Keep a check on the condition of your tongue so that you do not delay your diagnosis before any health condition aggravates. Visit dental care 77087 for accurate solutions and personalized consultation.

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