Would you like to know more about what is going on with your overall health? You may only need to stick out your tongue and look in a mirror to find out. If your tongue is healthy, it will be pink and covered with papillae, small nodules that contain taste buds. Does your tongue look different? Is it painful? These may be indicators of another health concern. Read on for an explanation from a DuPont dentist.
A White Tongue
If your tongue looks white, or if there are white spots, there are three possibilities. The first is oral thrush, a yeast infection that could appear after a round of antibiotics. Infants, people who wear dentures, diabetics and those who inhale steroids for asthma are more susceptible.
The second possibility is leukoplakia, a condition in which cells in the mouth grow excessively. This may be a precursor to cancer, so contact your dentist for evaluation. Finally, oral lichen planus looks like lace on your tongue. The cause is unknown and the condition usually goes away on its own.
A Red Tongue
If your tongue looks more red than pink, this could indicate:
- Folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiencies
- Geographic tongue, a map-like pattern of reddish spots
- Scarlet fever, which is an infection that causes a high fever and red tongue; see your physician for antibiotics
- Kawasaki disease, which also causes a red tongue and high fever, but is more serious that Scarlet fever
A Black Tongue
The papillae on your tongue grow just like your hair. In some people, they become very long and may, therefore, trap bacteria. Overgrown bacteria may look black and hairy. The condition is not common, but most often occurs in people that do not practice good oral hygiene.
A Sore or Bumpy Tongue
Several conditions may lead to a tongue that hurts or has bumps. Did you recently bite your tongue or accidentally drink or eat something that was extremely hot? Your tongue may be sore until it heals. Teeth grinding and clenching can irritate the sides of your tongue, causing pain, too.
Are you a smoker? Smoke in your mouth can make your tongue sore, so now you have another reason to quit!
Do you see canker sores on your tongue? These are harmless mouth ulcers that usually go away on their own in one to two weeks. The exact cause is not known, but stress may be a factor.
Has there been a lump or a sore on your tongue that has not healed in more than two weeks? This may be an early sign of oral cancer. Not all oral cancers hurt, so do not assume it is nothing to worry about if there is no pain. See a dentist in DuPontfor immediate evaluation.
Say Hello to Dupont Family Dentistry
At Dupont Family Dentistry, our team works hard to provide all of the services our patients need to have a healthy mouth and a healthy body. If you see or feel anything unusual on your tongue or anywhere in your mouth, make an appointment todaywith your dentist in DuPont.