13 Things Your Tongue Is Trying To Tell You About Your Health

The human body prompts our brain to transmit signals regarding and heath problems or sicknesses we might not be aware about and that includes the tongue.

Your tongue can offer a lot of insight regarding your health and wellbeing.

Scroll down to take a look at these important observations.

A strawberry red color

If the tongue is shiny or strawberry red it may indicate that you aren’t getting enough iron or vitamin B12.

Black or brown plaque

Black or brown plaque on the tongue can look quite scary but most of the time it is only a sign of bad hygiene, smoking, or drinking a lot of coffee or black tea. There can also be an unpleasant smell from the mouth and taste anomalies. Give up the bad habits that cause the plaque and brush not only the teeth but also the tongue every day.

White Plaque

White plaque that looks like cottage cheese is a sign of a yeast infection or candidiasis. It can occur for different reasons which include: taking antibiotics, diabetes, a weak immune system, or high blood pressure. It’s recommended to see a doctor.

Hairy Tongue

Black hairy tongue is a harmless oral condition which usually results from a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. These papillae can easily trap and be stained by bacteria, yeast, tobacco, food or other substances.

Furrowed tongue

A furrowed tongue can develop an infection and cause severe pain and burning if you don’t brush properly. Also, if you have tooth implants that were installed the wrong way, you can develop a furrowed tongue. The problem can be solved with antibiotics.

Small white spots on the tongue

Such spots are caused by an increased production of cells in people who smoke. These can often be precancer cells. If the spots don’t disappear within several weeks, remember to see a doctor.

Red spots and blisters

Red spots and blisters that don’t disappear for a long period of time can be a symptom of a really serious disease. They are often linked to tongue cancer.

A burning sensation

Mostly common in women going through menopause and is caused by hormonal changes, especially right after menopause starts.

Fuzzy Black/Brown Spots

Brown or black fuzz on the tongue – whether in spots or the entire appendage – is often a reflection of poor oral hygiene. Often accompanied by bad breath, taste difficulties, and other issues, it’s a surprisingly common problem.

Bumps and dimples

This is quite a rare feature that is not dangerous at all. There is nothing to worry about once there is no pain.

Geographic Tongue

It’s unclear why a geographic tongue happens, but taste buds can, sometimes, shrink randomly on the tongue but are capable of regeneration while some never return.

Painful sores

This is a sign of oral thrush, the sores are a signal of stress and a weak immune system. They usually disappear within two weeks.

Wrinkles

Fissures and cracks in the tongue are typically harmless, but problems can allow infection to grow in the crevices.

How To Clean Your Tongue

Brushing and flossing aren’t enough to maintain a healthy mouth. Scrape your tongue with a copper tongue scraper for optimal oral health. Copper scrapers effectively eliminate bad germs that cause bad breath, coffee and smoking stains to get a fresh breath and a healthy, pink tongue