Not only do the tastebuds on the tongue help us relish different flavors, but their color and texture are direct indicators of overall health.
Issues with the tongue aren’t always oral health-related, and according to a dentist on TikTok, you must watch out for certain signs of illnesses that appear in your mouth.
What your tongue tells about your health
Dr. Vikas Prinja uses one of his TikTok videos to talk about the different colors and textures of a tongue while explaining how they indicate different health issues.
This is also how dentists and doctors predict illnesses by examining your tongue when you visit them. Even though some tongues don’t look normal, they do not indicate any problems, while others are cause for concern.
For instance, if you have a smooth and shiny tongue that’s reddish as opposed to a pink tongue, it’s believed to be a sign of Iron or Vitamin B deficiencies.
If there’s a shiny patch in the middle of your tongue, it’s linked to the usage of steroid sprays or inhalers. Whereas, “creamy white patches” are said to be a sign of oral thrush.
The dentist then shows images of a few more tongues to explain specific disorders, such as Macroglossia, a condition wherein the tongue is too large to fit in the mouth. This is one of the signs of vascular malformation – when the blood vessels develop abnormally.
Not all tongues look the same
You needn’t worry if your tongue looks like it has a world map drawn on it or if it’s filled with cracked and fissured as they are normal, says the dentist.
However, your tongue may need extra cleaning as it’s recommended to brush the cracks as well. What isn’t normal is a ‘Black Hairy Tongue’, when keratin-like hair forms on the surface due to smoking or dry mouth.
A tongue that looks like a strawberry is a sign of scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease, common in children and occurs when the blood vessels become inflamed.
You may also want to look for white patches under the tongues, as the dentist says it could be a sign of certain kinds of oral cancer.
Dr. Vikas Prinja is a dental surgeon who specializes in Dental Implantology, Restorative Dentistry, and Cosmetic Dentistry. He holds a Dental Degree from the Royal London Dental Hospital and King’s College.
He is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and serves as a clinical supervisor and mentor for young dentists.
