Overview
Some noticeable bumps, patches, and spots in your mouth can be harmless but on occasion, they can give us a hint about what’s happening with our overall oral health. Medically speaking, aging, stress, infections and medication effects have the possibility of creating marks on the tongue. In this article, we will look at different tongues colours/types and what they signify. So, let’s dive in.
- Hairy Tongue
The hairy tongue comes into play if one has a coating that looks like white, brown, or black fur. The truth is the hair is like a protein that turns normal, small bumps into longer strands and this is where bacteria get caught. The good news is that it should go away when you brush and scrape your tongue. It is very important to consciously wash your tongue each time you are brushing your teeth. Some people don’t really care that much about washing/scraping their tongues, they feel if they can have a proper brushing of their teeth, they are good to go. The truth is, ‘impeccably’ brushing your teeth without paying attention to your tongue is automatically improper oral hygiene. So, it is advisable to care for your overall over health, the tongue inclusive. However, if you have hairy white patches that wouldn’t go away even after scraping your tongue, then, it might be as a result of a medical condition; oral hairy leukoplakia. This happens to people with infected viruses such as HIV or Epstein-Barr. In such cases, patients are advised to visit their doctors/dentists regularly.
- Black Tongues
Some hairy tongues can be black in colour just as others can be brown as well. The thing is your tongue can temporarily become super dark due to some substance you consume. For instance, your tongue can go dark after you take an antacid with an ingredient known as bismuth. Also, for some people, this said antacid stains the tongue when it mixes with saliva. Although it stains the tongue thereby making it darker, it’s harmless and gradually goes away once you stop taking the medication.
- White Patches
This could actually be thrush- an infection of the mouth and throat by a yeast-like fungus, causing whitish patches. This usually happens after an illness or medication throws off the balance of bacteria in the mouth. Some white patches that look lacy could be as a result of what is called lichen planus- this means that one’s immune system is literally attacking the tissues in your mouth. If one notices hard, flat, and white areas that cannot scrape off, it could be leukoplakia, which is sometimes linked to cancer. If you notice any whitish patches, do not hesitate to see your dentist. They are in a better position t tell you what to do.
- Bright Red Tongue
If you have a strawberry-like tongue, there could be a number of factors associated with it. Firstly, a bright red tongue could be an early sign of Kawasaki disease. This is a rare, serious illness that inflames blood vessels all over the body, especially in children. Secondly, it’s undoubtedly a symptom of scarlet fever. Thirdly, if the strawberry-like tongue is smooth and painful, it might be as a sign that the body lacks enough vitamin B3. Endeavour to see your dentist if you notice any changes in your tongue.
- Smooth Tongue
You may experience a smooth tongue if you don’t get enough of some nutrients like iron, folic acid, or vitamin B. A tongue that is smooth without any small bumps on the top may look pretty glossy red. There are other factors that can actually lead to having a smooth tongue such as infections, celiac disease, and some medications. It’s usually harmless even though it can lead to discomforts such as hurtfulness or burn. It could possibly be linked to psoriasis or lichen planus. Visit your dentist for a better explanation if you have a smooth tongue.
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