When you look at yourself in the mirror, you may not think of your tongue as anything other than maybe a bit of dust stuck on it, but it actually speaks a lot about your health. Besides, the tongue is not only a muscle that helps us in eating, speaking, and tasting. It is, in fact, one of the primary health gauges.
The change in the health of the tongue, along with the alteration of its color, texture, or even the presence of some sort of coating on the tongue, can disclose quite a lot of information to people about what is happening deep down inside their bodies. In this article, we will learn the messages that the tongue sends to us, the causes of its turning different colors, and what to do if we notice unusual signs.
The tongue surface is a very thin layer of skin, under which it is closely packed, very small but numerous, blood vessels. This fact makes it an almost immediate visual change recorder of altered blood circulation, as well as hydration and internal organ functions in the individual's body. Ayurveda and Chinese medicine are two of the oldest systems of traditional medicine, which have been using tongue color and tongue coating for diagnosing diseases for ages.
Even modern medicine goes on to say that internal health issues can be reflected in our tongues. For instance, dehydration, infections, or nutritional deficiencies can have an impact on the tongue and make it look different. In this way, you can get on with a health issue that affects your tongue or be warned of a different problem just by observing your tongue's first signs without delay.
The first indication to find out that there is something off inside the body is almost always a change in the tongue color. Let's figure out what those colors might tell us about our health.
The light pink color of the tongue with a thin white coating is typical to a healthy one. It is a strong point that the whole mechanism is in harmony in the individual's body. A normal range of the papillae is there and so is the absence of swelling, dryness, and any unusual patches.
Whitening of the tongue occurs when debris, bacteria, or dead cells get tightly mixed between the papillae. In most cases, it accompanies a symptom of poor mouth hygiene, lack of water intake, or smoking. On the other hand, a thick, white coat might as well be an indicator of oral thrush- a yeast infection that requires a doctor.
There are a few other potential reasons for a white tongue, such as:
By simple measures such as brushing the tongue, drinking enough water, and ensuring oral hygiene, one can elevate the health of the tongue and also lessen this coating.
The presence of a bright red tongue can be a signal of inflammation or infection. In certain instances, it is associated with the lack of vitamins, mainly B12 and folic acid. Besides, it can be an indication of fever, strep throat, or Kawasaki disease in children.
In case your tongue is bright red and smooth, it could be that your body is lacking in essential nutrients, or maybe you're eating too many spicy foods that irritate it.
One with purple or bluish tongue that is thinking clearly would associate that with low oxygen levels or poor blood circulation. Thus, such a condition could be a sign of problems with the heart or the lungs, though not always serious. It is better to visit a doctor if this kind of color transition is there for long.
Typically, a yellow tongue is an indication of bacteria that have built up, the person has not been performing oral hygiene properly, or there are some problems with the digestive system. Smoking and consuming too much coffee or tea can also lead to the yellow color of your tongue.
In most cases, the restoration of tongue health is done by simply practicing oral care and giving up the habit of smoking or drinking.
It is not uncommon for a black or dark brown tongue to scare people off, but most of the time, it is not serious. It is caused by the elongation of the papillae and the trapping of bacteria or food debris, thus creating the "hairy" look. Smoking, antibiotics, or certain mouth rinses may be the reasons for this. Great efforts to clean and quit tobacco are the factors that usually bring an end to it.
Tongue coating is the layer that can be either thin or thick and that grows naturally on the surface of your tongue. The coating of a healthy person is generally white or transparent. However, the extent, color, and texture of this coat may give out the state of your digestion and resistance.
The coating of a healthy tongue is thin and a little bit wet. In the event that the coating is thick, dry, or has an abnormal color, it may be a sign of the inside of the body being out of balance or even of disease.
Different types of tongue coating and their possible meanings:
Being hydrated, following balanced meals, and not neglecting your tongue color are the three pillars of your coating normality as well as tongue health.
The tongue is the organ in your body that can go through several conditions where changes in its appearance and sensation are involved. Some of them are safe, while others require medical intervention.
Here are some of the problems with the tongue that you may have:
If the pain and or discoloration persists for more than two weeks, consult a dentist or a health care provider. Continued problems may mean there is a serious condition that should not be ignored.
Keeping the tongue healthy doesn't require complicated routines. A few simple habits can be very effective in keeping it clean and free from disease.
Some easy steps to follow are:
The same habits that strengthen the health of your tongue also promote general oral health.
The tongue is sort of a mirror of one’s inner health. So, by inspecting its color, texture, and thickness, one can help oneself with early recognition of the disorder or disease. There are many changes, such as white tongue, yellow patches, smooth red surface, and so on, each of which signifies something.
On top of that, a healthy tongue not only pleases the mouth but also shows that the body is in good shape and works well. So, the next time you brush your teeth, check your tongue as well.
This content was created by AI