What Your Tongue Says About Your Oral Health

Learn More about the Connection Between Your Tongue and Oral Health

Your tongue says a lot about your oral health. The color, texture, shape, and any sores or bumps can indicate various aspects of your oral and overall health. Because the tongue can show simple issues like poor hygiene to more complex conditions like vitamin deficiencies or infections, you need to pay attention to it. Your dentist looks at your tongue in an exam to identify differences that may point to oral cancer. But there are other changes that you can be on the lookout for yourself.

While often inconspicuous, your tongue can tell a lot more about your health than you may realize. In this article, we discuss what a healthy tongue looks like, when you should be concerned if your tongue changes, and what may be an underlying cause for your tongue changing color.

What Does a Healthy Tongue Look Like?

When a Tongue is Unhealthy

One of the first noticeable symptoms of an unhealthy tongue is a significant change in color from the pink shade you normally see. Other signs of concern can include pain when eating, drinking, and swallowing, as well as new lumps and bumps.

Possible Causes of Tongue Abnormalities Based on Color

White Tongue

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush can cause your tongue to be white. The Candida albicans fungus causes oral thrush, creating thick, white to green cottage cheese-like patches on top of the tongue as well as the insides of your cheeks. Oral thrush is most common in the following groups:

• Infants and toddlers
• Older adults
• People with diabetes
• People who use dentures
• People who use inhaled steroids for asthma and COPD

Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus consists of white lines across the top of the tongue. These may resemble lace. Oral lichen planus usually goes away on its own without treatment.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia consists of thick white patches in the mouth and tongue. Unlike the fungus that causes oral thrush, leukoplakia occurs due to cell overgrowth in your mouth. Your dentist can diagnose leukoplakia. Some cases are benign; however, others could lead to cancer.

Red Tongue

Geographic Tongue

Sometimes red patches with white borders on the tongue can be a sign of a condition called geographic tongue. The name refers to the maplike appearance of the tongue patches. It affects about 1 to 2.5 percent of people in all age groups. This condition is usually harmless.

B Vitamin Deficiencies

A red tongue may also signal B vitamin deficiencies. This is particularly the case with folic acid (vitamin B-9) and cobalamin (vitamin B-12). The appearance of your tongue will improve as these vitamin deficiencies are resolved.

Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is a more serious condition that is most common in children under 5 years of age. It causes a high fever along with a strawberry-like appearance in the tongue. Not all cases are life-threatening, but Kawasaki disease may increase the risk of heart complications if left untreated.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever, which goes along with strep throat, is another serious condition that requires prompt treatment. Like Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever can make your tongue look like it has strawberries on top of it, with large bumps.

Yellow Tongue

An often less serious tongue color is yellow, which is usually caused by bacterial overgrowth. Other causes may include:

Black and Hairy

A black and hairy tongue may look concerning, but it is usually harmless. Bacterial overgrowth on the tongue most commonly causes it. Your tongue may look dark yellow, brown, or black, and the papillae may multiply, giving the appearance of hair.

This tongue condition may develop from:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Taking antibiotics
• Diabetes
• Chemotherapy treatments

Sore and Bumpy

If your tongue is sore or bumpy, have either a doctor or a dentist check it out to diagnose the issue. Tongue soreness and bumps may result from:

• Tobacco use, especially smoking
• Mouth ulcers (canker sores)
• Accidental tongue biting
• Tongue burns from hot food and liquid

If soreness and bumps don’t go away within a couple of weeks, this could be a sign of oral cancer. You should see your doctor right away. Note that not all cases of oral cancer cause pain.

Treatments

Treatment for each case of tongue discoloration varies depending on its underlying cause. Some causes require medications, such as:

• Antibiotics for scarlet fever
• Antifungals for oral thrush
• Vitamin B-12 supplementation for deficiency
• Folic acid (Vitamin B-9) supplementation for deficiency
• Anti-inflammatory drugs for Kawasaki disease

The following conditions don’t usually require treatment; instead, you may resolve them by adopting better oral health practices:

• Geographic tongue
• Yellow tongue
• Black, hairy tongue
• Oral lichen planus

How Can I Maintain a Healthy Tongue Color?

You may not be able to prevent tongue discoloration if it is a symptom of an underlying health condition. But you can reduce your risk of tongue discoloration by following these guidelines:

• Practice proper oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing between your teeth once a day.
• Clean your tongue daily with either a toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
• Use an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash once a day.
• Don’t use tobacco products.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings.

When To See A Doctor and/or Dentist

It’s important to keep track of any changes in your tongue. Your primary care doctor will look at your tongue during your annual physical, and your dentist and hygienist will look at your tongue as part of your routine exam. If you notice any significant changes in the color of your tongue, especially if it lasts longer than 2 weeks, you should see your doctor or dentist. Call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, or lumps on the tongue.

The earlier you get tongue issues diagnosed, the quicker you receive treatment. It’s important to catch oral cancer as soon as possible. See your dentist twice a year and let them know if you have a history of tobacco use. Tobacco use is a common cause of cancers of the mouth and throat.

Contact Hamby Family Dental Center to Schedule your Dental Check-up

If you notice that your tongue has changed color, is sore, or has developed bumps, call our professional dental team at Hamby Family Dental Center. We are primarily concerned with your overall oral health. Contact us today to schedule a dental appointment. Call us at  919-552-2431 or complete the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.