What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Oral Health?

What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Oral Health?

Our tongues are one of the best precursors to find out what is happening with our oral health. Not only do they help us chew, taste, and talk they can also offer valuable clues to determine what is happening with our oral health.

A healthy tongue should be a light pinky colour with little bumps all over it – the bumps are called papillae and on average an adult has around 9000 of them! These papillae contain our tastebuds which, obviously, help us taste food whether that be the sweetness of chocolate, the sourness of a lemon, the bitterness of a coffee, and the saltiness of chips.

So, what should you look out for on your tongue and what can it mean? We have some answers below.

A White Tongue

As you can probably guess, this particular type of condition is when your tongue has turned white. This generally happens because your tongue loses its pinky colour and develops a whiteish coating due to an overgrowth and/or swelling of the papillae. The overgrowth or swelling can cause bacteria, food, and dead cells to get trapped on your tongue and as this grows it will most likely turn white. A ‘white tongue’ generally comes in conjunction with bad breath.

The main causes of ‘White Tongue’ can be largely associated with bad oral hygiene, smoking, dehydration, and dry mouth. Although this condition is generally harmless, it can point towards a bigger problem, and if it persists then its best to book an appointment to see us.

Black Hairy Tongue

This is another one that can be easily classified, it is when you have a black hairy tongue (although it can also appear as dark yellow, brown, white, or green). It is a rare condition that occurs from the build up of dead skin cells on the tongue causing the papillae to grow in length and size which traps excess bacteria. The long hair like projections can be stained by bacteria (tea, coffee, cigarettes, food, and other substances) and then turn black – hence the black hairy tongue.

Much like the white tongue this condition can be caused by poor oral health, smoking, or use of particular antibiotics. To help with this you can try brushing the area with a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste 2-3 times a day, or you can use a tongue scraper.

Strawberry Tongue

No, this condition does not come from eating too many strawberries; instead, your tongue will have a strawberry-like appearance. This means it will appear bright red, swollen, and bumpy and this is due to an underlying health issue. Generally, when you have ‘strawberry tongue’ it means that you may be deficient in vitamin B12 which is the vitamin that helps maintain healthy cells and DNA. It could be a more serious illness like streptococcal. If you think and have these symptoms contact us to book an appointment straight away.

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a little different to what we have mentioned previously in that it isn’t immediately noticeable by appearance alone. Oral thrush is a condition where fungus overgrows on your tongue and can cause white patches. It can spread to your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, gums or the back of your throat. The first thing you will notice with oral thrush is a slight discomfort when eating; other symptoms can include pain and burning in your mouth, an unpleasant or lack of taste, a red mouth and throat, and cracks at the edge of your mouth which may make it difficult to eat or even swallow.

Usually, oral thrush is common in adults and children with weakened immune systems and can suggest an underlying health condition. We recommend you book in an appointment with us to help you work through this. 

Oral Cancer

Did you know that when you are having your routine check up your dentists are also screening for oral cancer? Those over 40 who smoke have a particularly high risk of developing oral cancer, so if you fall in that category, it is important to be cautious. It will form as a persistent sore or lump on the side of your tongue as well as white or red patches, unusual bleeding, or numbness. If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to call up and book an appointment with us straight away.

You can see how important it is to keep an eye on your tongue, it could be trying to tell you something. But in the meantime, if you would like to keep your tongue healthy and keep up a great oral hygiene routine here are some simple tips:

1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
2. Avoid Sugar
3. Quit Smoking
4. Drink Plenty of Water