Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your tongue is a weird color or happens to have a strange-looking coating?
It is important to take notes on these changes because your tongue may just be trying to tell you something about your health.
Here are some well-known symptoms with descriptions of what your tongue may be trying to say:
1. Your Tongue is Covered in Lumpy White Bumps
If you ever notice a thick, lumpy, cottage cheese-like appearance on your tongue, it might be a sign of thrush, better known as an oral yeast infection.
Thrush is common in children and those with weakened immune systems.
It is a plaque that results due to an overproduction of candida, a type of fungus.
An anti-fungal medicine may be prescribed.
2. Your Tongue Has a Blackish or Grayish Coating
If your tongue is blackish or grayish, it could be a sign of gastritis or excessive use of tobacco.
Gastritis sounds scary but is quite common. Symptoms may include stomach irritation or vomiting. See your doctor if it persists for at least a week.
If you smoke, this could also be the cause of the blackish tongue, and it could be beneficial for your health to cut back.
3. Your Tongue Has White Little Patches
Unfortunately, tobacco use can also cause little white patches to appear on your tongue. These spots could be harmless, but they also come with a 5% increased risk of cancer.
On the other hand, these sores could also be a result of something merely irritating the skin on your tongue.
Still, if these patches persist for a couple of weeks, it would be a good idea to get them checked out.
4. Your Tongue is Bright Red
If your tongue looks like you were eating a pint of strawberries or can of beets, it might be a sign that you lack some essential vitamins, such as iron and B12.
Make sure you are eating plenty of iron-rich foods and start taking a multivitamin daily.
If these changes do not make the strange color go away, it would probably be wise to consult a physician.
5. Your Tongue has Legions
Although these might just be a common canker sore, if they occur regularly, you should get them checked out ASAP.
In some cases, legions are a sign of tongue cancer and other complications.
6. Your Tongue is Brown
This could be an indicator of poor oral hygiene or quite simply, you drink too much coffee.
It might be a good idea to ramp up the brushing and flossing as well as cutting down on a few jolts of caffeine throughout the day.
7. Your Tongue is Bumpy
Believe it or not, a rough tongue is usually no cause for concern. These small bumps that are called papillae are harmless, but if they become super swollen or cause severe irritation while eating, you should visit your doctor.
8. Your Tongue Has Wrinkles
Did you know that your tongue gets old too? Yes, simply put, wrinkles on your tongue can be just that, another sign that you are aging.
Still, it’s important to treat your tongue with respect and take care of it. The better oral hygiene you practice, the less likely you will have health issues with your tongue in the future.
Most importantly, listen to what your tongue is trying to say, it might be trying to tell you something important about your health.
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