Many of us rarely look at our tongues, but dentists say it’s a “window” into the body’s health.
Problems ranging from vitamin deficiencies, allergies, and a weak immune system can first manifest in the tongue — making the organ appear smooth and red, or a fungal infection can occur.
Last week, revealed the hidden health issues to look out for in your fingernails. Now let’s look at the conditions that often show symptoms on people’s tongues.
Pictured above are five conditions that can be identified on tongues along with their causes. A strawberry-red tongue (above right) can also be caused by an infection, e.g. B. caused by a sore throat or a vitamin deficiency. A yellow tongue can also be a sign of gastritis. It’s caused by a build-up of dead skin cells on the tongue, which can be triggered by a lack of saliva—as in gastritis sufferers—or not brushing your teeth frequently
White patches on the tongue can be a sign of a fungal infection or oral thrush
White spots are a sign of a fungal infection
Many of us will develop white spots on our tongues at some point in our lives. But did you know that this can be a fungal infection?
Small amounts of the fungus Candida (a type of yeast) live on the skin and inside the body in the mouth, throat, intestines and – in women – the vagina.
It is harmless and usually goes unnoticed.
But can suddenly grow out of control and cause a white layer to appear on the tongue.
This happens when antibiotics or medications kill helpful bacteria that keep the fungus in check and allow it to grow quickly.
It can also be caused by chronic stress, which weakens the immune system, which can also leave the gates open for the fungus to grow
dr Uchenna Akosa, a dentist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, told Shape, “It’s a very white coating [on the top and sides of the tongue]and under [the tongue] it can be red and raw.’
Other symptoms include loss of taste and smell, and pain when eating or swallowing.
The infection is easily treated with an antifungal medication that can be given in tablet or liquid form.
It’s not contagious and people can help prevent it on the tongue by brushing the organ twice a day.
Oral thrush is common in babies, with one in seven developing the infection, according to the UK health service NHS. Infants are more at risk because they do not have a fully developed immune system.
Older adults who wear dentures are also at greater risk because they have weaker immune systems and the yeast can get trapped under dentures, increasing the risk of developing the condition.
It was estimated in 2011 that up to half of elderly people in hospitals develop thrush because they have weaker immune systems.
smooth tongue? You’re not getting enough vitamins
A smooth tongue can be a warning sign of a vitamin deficiency
The tongue can also warn of vitamin deficiencies, such as B. a lack of iron and vitamin B12 – both important for the formation of red blood cells in the body, which carry oxygen to various organs.
Normally, the tongue has hundreds of tiny bumps on its surface known as papillae, each containing multiple taste buds.
But when someone is deficient in vitamins, these papillae begin to atrophy and fall off the tongue.
dr Mark Wolff, a dentist at Penn Medicine in Pennsylvania, told Shape, “All of a sudden the tongue becomes shiny and loses texture.
“This is a really pivotal moment. The tongue is an amazing place in this regard, with so many nutrient-bound terms popping out right on the tongue.
A lack of vitamin B12 and iron leads to fewer red blood cells in the body.,
This means less oxygen is being carried to the organs, with the lack of oxygen in the tongue causing the papillae to begin to atrophy.
Other symptoms of a deficiency in these vitamins that patients may be more likely to notice include extreme fatigue, chest pain, and pale skin.
The National Institutes of Health recommend adult men consume about 8 milligrams (mg) of iron daily, while women should consume 18 mg.
This can be accomplished by eating about seven turkey breasts a day for men, or 14 a day for women.
People can prevent vitamin deficiencies by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
It is estimated that about 10 million people in the US are iron deficient, while six percent of people are vitamin B12 deficient.
Sores on the tongue, known as canker sores, can indicate injury or stress
These sores on your tongue could be an injury or stress
Canker sores are small, round, painful lesions that can form on the tongue, cheeks, or gums.
Dentists say the main cause of these marks — medically called aphthous ulcers — is injury to the mouth.
This can be caused by accidentally biting areas in the mouth or even brushing areas too hard.
But getting canker sores on a regular basis can also be a sign of stress.
The mental distress condition can make people bite their cheeks and tongues more often when they clench their teeth, meaning they have more of those sores.
Stress can also cause nicks on the side or top of the tongue as it is repeatedly pressed against clenched teeth.
Other causes are an allergy to foods such as coffee, strawberries and cheese or hormonal changes during menopause.
These sores are harmless and usually heal on their own without complications.
But medical professionals say people with abnormally large sores that keep coming back, don’t go away and make it difficult to eat or drink should see a doctor.
A small wound will take about one to two weeks to heal, according to the Mayo Clinic, and larger ones should take up to six weeks.
Strawberry tongue can be caused by a food allergy, infection, or vitamin deficiency
How a strawberry tongue could indicate a secret allergy
If you’ve ever suffered from a red tongue after eating a certain food, it could be a sign of a hidden allergy.
Many people with mild food allergies will have their tongues turn bright red — sometimes known as “strawberry tongue.”
It can also become sore and swollen due to an allergy, or the sides of the mouth can also swell.
Dentists say this can indicate a food allergy, particularly to certain fruits and vegetables.
The immune system goes haywire and attacks substances it thought were foreign invaders, causing the tongue to become red and inflamed.
Other causes of “strawberry tongue” are bacterial infections that develop when people have a sore throat.
In these cases, the bacteria release a toxin in the tongue that causes the red tongue — known as “scarlet fever.”
Again, patients are likely to notice other symptoms of this infection, including a sore throat, fever, and red rash.
Vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B-12 deficiency, can also lead to a red tongue.
Your tongue can turn yellow as dead skin cells build up on it. This is “harmless” but is more a sign of poor oral hygiene
Yellow spots mean you’re not brushing properly…or it could be a sign of gastritis
A yellow tongue is caused by a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the tongue, which are then broken down by bacteria, giving it the yellow hue.
Doctors say the buildup itself is usually “harmless,” but could be a sign of an underlying condition.
This includes gastritis, in which the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed — often due to an infection.
When people have gastritis, they are likely to produce less saliva, which means dead skin cells are less likely to be removed from the surface of the tongue.
If they accumulate, they can then cause the appearance of “yellow tongue.”
However, people are also likely to notice other symptoms of gastritis, such as upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is estimated that gastritis accounts for approximately 2 million doctor visits annually.
Doctors say “yellow tongue” could also be a sign that someone isn’t brushing their tongue enough – which allows dead cells to build up.
Everyone should brush their tongue twice a day, immediately after brushing their teeth. This should be done with a toothbrush.
Other causes of a yellow tongue include smoking, eating yellow-tinged foods, chewing tobacco, and even using some mouthwashes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Other symptoms of a yellow tongue include bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, a sore throat, and fever.
Gastritis eight out of 1,000 people.
Above is what a healthy tongue should look like
What should a healthy tongue look like?
So… what does a healthy tongue actually look like?
Doctors say it should be pink in color, which can vary from a light shade to a darker shade.
The tongue should also have many small bumps on its surface – which contain taste buds.
dr Daniel Allen told the Cleveland Clinic, “A healthy tongue should be pink and covered with small nodules (papillae).
“Any deviation from the normal appearance of your tongue or pain can be a cause for concern.
They add: “Everyone should check their tongue daily when brushing their teeth and tongue.
“Any discoloration, lump, sore or pain should be monitored by a doctor and evaluated if it does not go away within two weeks.”