11 Things Your Tongue is Telling You About Your Health : The Hearty Soul

Your mouth can tell you a lot about your health, any dentist will tell you that. But did you know that your tongue, specifically, can signal quite loudly whether or not you are in good health? Changes in the appearance, color, texture, and more can signify underlying health issues. This is what a healthy tongue looks and feels like and what anything other than that might be trying to tell you about your health.

What Does A Healthy Tongue Look Like?

Human Emotions, Reactions And Attitude Concept. Closeup portrait of African American girl showing sticking out her tongue at camera, playing and having fun. Goofy kid fooling around — Source: Shutterstock

You can’t know if your tongue health is good if you don’t know what a healthy tongue actually looks and feels like. A tongue in good health usually appears pink or light red in color. It should have a relatively even texture, free of any prominent bumps, sores, or discolorations. The taste buds, which appear as small bumps on the surface of your tongue, should be evenly distributed. A healthy tongue will not show any unusual coatings, patches, or discolorations other than shades of pink. It’s not just about the appearance, however, but also about what a healthy tongue feels like. Your tongue shouldn’t be painful or particularly sensitive, either to touch or to move around your mouth. Truthfully, your tongue should be so sensation-free that you don’t really think about it or its existence in your mouth very often. In general, a healthy tongue will mean fresh breath, good perception of taste, and good digestion. This reflects overall well-being and good oral health.

What Does an Unhealthy Tongue Look Like?

Female tongue with a white plaque. Comparison of a diseased tongue with a white plaque and a healthy clean tongue before and after treatment. The result of cleaning the tongue — Source: Shutterstock

An unhealthy tongue is the opposite of everything just mentioned. It has improper colorings and discolorations, sensations, pain, uneven texture – the list goes on. These are some of the more common tongue problems and ways that your tongue is trying to tell you that there is something going on with your health that requires your attention.

Red Tongue

Strawberry tongue in case scarlet fever. (Strawberry tongue is the name given to a swollen, bumpy tongue. Most often, the enlarged tongue is very red, like a strawberry or raspberry.) — Source: Shutterstock

Your tongue should be pink to light red in color. A deeper red or purple color may signify that there is something wrong. A red tongue can be a sign of various health conditions, including:

Geographic tongue: This is when there are red patches with white borders that have the appearance of a map on the tongue’s surface. The position of patches may change over time. It is generally harmless.
B vitamin deficiencies: In particular, deficiencies of vitamins B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cobalamin). An improvement of vitamin status should return the tongue to a normal color.
Kawasaki disease: Most common in children under 5, this is a serious condition characterized by high fever and a strawberry-like appearance of the tongue. If left untreated, it could lead to heart problems.
Scarlet fever: This is another serious condition that coincides with strep throat. It can cause large bumps on the tongue or a strawberry-like appearance. It can be fatal if left untreated.

If you notice your tongue appearing red or purple instead of its usual pink hue, it may be worth speaking with your doctor to determine the underlying cause. While in many cases it can be harmless, there are cases in which it needs to be treated.

White Tongue

White coating on tongue baby. Oral thrush. — Source: Shutterstock

The most common tongue-affecting conditions give the tongue a white appearance. These Conditions include:

Oral thrush: This is when the tongue develops thick white to green, cottage-cheese-like patches on the tongue and inside of the mouth. These are caused by a bacterium called Candida albicans. It is most commonly seen in babies and toddlers, the elderly, those who use dentures, those with diabetes, and anyone who uses inhalable steroids to treat asthma or COPD.
Leukoplakia: These are thick white patches caused by cell overgrowth on the tongue. While this can be benign, it can also lead to cancer.
Oral lichen planus: These are white lines across the top of the tongue, appearing kind of like lace. It usually goes away on its own, but nonetheless, it should be looked at by a dentist or doctor.

Any condition that causes your tongue to turn white or have white patches should be checked out by either a doctor or a dentist. While they can be benign and non-threatening, they could also signal a serious problem that threatens your health and potentially your life.

Yellow Tongue

dirty tongue, close-up, yellow due to illness. — Source: Shutterstock

A yellow tongue is usually not serious but can indicate a bacterial overgrowth. Smoking and chewing tobacco, vitamin deficiencies, the taking of certain vitamins, psoriasis, and jaundice most often cause it. If you are concerned about why your tongue is yellow, go speak with your doctor. Be honest about all supplements you are taking and habits you may have so that they can accurately diagnose the problem.

Black and Hairy Tongue

Woman black hairy tongue out of mouth — Source: Shutterstock

While it may look upsetting, a black and/or hairy tongue is usually fairly harmless. There are a variety of conditions that can cause this. These include bacterial overgrowth, poor oral hygiene, antibiotics, diabetes, and even chemotherapy. All of these can lead to a black or brown discoloration of the tongue. It can be accompanied by a “hairy” or furry texture. See your doctor so that you can treat the underlying cause and return your tongue to normal.

Sore and Bumpy Tongue

tongue with ulcers of adult man — Source: Shutterstock

As already mentioned, your tongue should be something that most of you don’t even really think about. If it is sore or irritated in any way, this could indicate a problem. Soreness, bumps, or irritation can be caused by a variety of reasons. This includes the use of tobacco, ulcers in the mouth, accidental tongue biting, or burns from eating or drinking hot things. If the symptoms persist or get worse, visit your doctor. It is important to rule out serious conditions, such as oral cancer.

Burning Tongue

The woman show the picture of tongue problems, Illustration benign migratory glossitis on a brown paper, Behcet's Disease — Source: Shutterstock

Burning tongue syndrome, also known as glossodynia, can cause a persistent burning sensation on the tongue or in the mouth. This condition can be triggered by various factors, including oral infections, allergies, hormonal imbalances, or nerve damage. Again, speak with your doctor so that they can help you get to the bottom of your problem.

The Bottom Line

Beautiful african mother and adult daughter stick their tongue out while they take a selfie - Family love — Source: Shutterstock

Understanding these common tongue health issues and being vigilant about any changes in your tongue’s appearance or sensation can help you stay proactive about your health. Don’t hesitate to go speak with your doctor or dentist if you notice changes or issues with your oral health. The best case scenario is that it is nothing – if it isn’t, then at least you didn’t wait until the problem was much worse or potentially incurable.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.