Your Tongue Can Tell You Just How Healthy or Unhealthy Your Mouth Is
Posted on 7/26/2021 by SRD Muscle Shoals
You can use your tongue as a gauge to determine the health of the rest of your mouth. The following information gives you further details on how you can tell. Visit us at Singing River Dentistry for a checkup and exam today!
Why the Tongue Can Help You Determine Your Overall Oral Health
There is a good reason why our dentists might tell a patient to stick out their tongue and say "ahh" during a medical examination. Doing so gives us an idea about your general and oral health overall.
What a Healthy Tongue Looks Like
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a healthy tongue is pink and covered with papillae's taste buds. However, if the tongue changes color or becomes sore, it can be a sign of a serious medical condition.
If your tongue develops noticeable changes in color, feeling, or shape that last over two weeks, you should immediately contact our Muscle Shoals office at 256-712-3186.
What Various Changes in Tongue Color Mean
Some people may develop a white tongue over time. This condition may occur if your immune system is compromised, you have developed a yeast infection called oral thrush, or taken steroids or antibiotic medications.
Oral lichen planus can also turn the tongue white. This condition eventually resolves itself without treatment.
Avoiding tobacco or foods that irritate the mouth and tongue and following a regimen of good oral hygiene can reduce problems with oral lichen planus. Another condition that leads to white tongue is leukoplakia.
Leukoplakia represents an overgrowth of cells inside the mouth - cells that cause white patches to form. This condition may be a precursor to oral cancer.
A noticeably red tongue may indicate a nutritional deficiency, or a lack of folic acid or vitamin B-12, in your diet. You should address the condition with your doctor—a black hairy tongue results from poor oral hygiene, diabetes, or chemotherapy treatments. Call us for an appointment to confirm a diagnosis.
Besides brushing and flossing, you also need to clean your tongue. Use a tongue scraper, wiping it off with a tissue when you are using it. Rinse and clean the dental tool with warm water and mild soap after you use it. Don't downplay any changes in your tongue's color or appearance. Give us a call for an appointment.
About Us - Muscle Shoals, AL • Singing River Dentistry At Singing River Dentistry, our goal is to help our patients achieve beautiful smiles. Schedule your appointment today! Singing River Dentistry, 2402 Avalon Ave, Suite A, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 - 256-712-3186 - muscleshoals.singingriverdentistry.com - 10/20/2024 - Page Terms:dentist Muscle Shoals AL -
You can use your tongue as a gauge to determine the health of the rest of your mouth. The following information gives you further details on how you can tell. Visit us at