Your tongue can reveal a lot about your overall health! It’s almost like a mood ring — different colours and features can indicate a variety of conditions. Ideally, a clean tongue should be plump and pink.
Next time you brush your teeth and scrape any debris from your tongue, inspect it in the mirror. If the colour looks off, or if there are some textural features that seem abnormal, you may have an underlying health issue that needs attention.
Here’s an overview of what different colours and features can tell you about your current state of health.
Pink Tongue
This is a healthy tongue! You’re doing great! Keep it up!
White Tongue
If your tongue has a white coating, this could just be a sign of poor hygiene, but it could also indicate an infection like oral thrush, which is caused by yeast overgrowth. White tongues can also be a sign of oral lichen planus, an inflammatory disorder, or leukoplakia, a possibly precancerous condition.
Yellow Tongue
Most often, a yellow tongue means you need to brush more thoroughly and regularly. However, yellow tongues can also be caused by smoking or chewing tobacco, dehydration, prolonged dry mouth, or certain types of vitamins. Some people with psoriasis may find their tongue takes on a yellow hue. In serious cases, a yellow tongue can indicate jaundice.
Red Tongue
Redness on the tongue can sometimes indicate “geographic tongue,” a harmless condition that causes patches of discoloration. However, redness can also point to food or medication allergies, a vitamin B deficiency, glossitis, precancerous erythroplakia, or scarlet fever.
Black Tongue
If your tongue is developing a black coating, this may be a buildup of keratin — the protein found in your skin and nails. A combination of keratin and food debris can cling to the small bumps on your tongue, creating a black, fuzzy appearance. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking or chewing tobacco, certain medication, and even radiation therapy. In rare cases, a black tongue can be a symptom of HIV or diabetes.
Scalloped Edges
If the edges of your tongue are scalloped, not smooth, this sometimes indicates poor nutrient absorption. Talk to your doctor, and they can do some bloodwork to assess the situation.
Are you concerned about discolouration or abnormal surface details on your tongue? Contact our team at Kildonan Crossing Dental Clinic, and we’ll be happy to assess the issue for you.