What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Oral Health?

If you’re trying to maintain good dental health, then you’re probably brushing and flossing every day. While these are good preventive dental measures, you might be interested to learn how important your tongue is as well. Depending on how it looks can tell you if a visit to your dentist is in order. Keep reading to learn how to clean your tongue and what it can say about your overall health!

The Difference Between a Healthy & Unhealthy Tongue

Your tongue should normally be a pink color, which can vary in shades between different people. It also has small nodules called papillae. If your tongue begins to change in texture or color, then it’s probably a good idea to inform your dentist of your situation. Here are several examples of unhealthy tongues and what they signify:

• White tongue: This can look like thick, white patches or lines on the tongue. Two possible causes can be oral thrush and oral lichen planus—both of which create a pale film that could go away on its own. It can also be due to leukoplakia, which is due to cell overgrowth.
• Red tongue: Either red or purple in color, your tongue may also have a geographic texture. This condition could be due to B vitamin deficiency, as well as more serious illnesses like Kawasaki disease and scarlet fever.
• Yellow tongue: Usually caused by bacteria overgrowth, a yellow tongue can also be due to smoking, chewing tobacco, taking certain vitamins, or jaundice (a rare case).
• Black & Hairy tongue: Contrary to its appearance, a black/hairy tongue is typically a harmless microbial overgrowth that’s caused by poor oral hygiene, taking antibiotics, diabetes, or chemotherapy treatments.
• Sore & Bumpy tongue: Whether a new sore or bump is uncomfortable or not, you should inform your dentist about the change. This could be a result of tobacco use, mouth ulcers, or tongue injuries from accidentally biting or burning it.

How Do You Clean Your Tongue?

You can certainly brush your tongue back and forth to remove any bacteria and debris. However, the best way to effectively keep it clean and healthy is to use a tongue scraper. By doing so, you’ll also significantly reduce the sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

The health of your tongue is just as crucial as your smile, and by keeping an eye on these symptoms, you’ll be more prepared to get them treated when they show up! Speak with your dentist about your tongue, and they’ll be happy to answer your questions.

About the Practice

At West Hartford Dental Group, we pride ourselves on providing modern, comprehensive, and caring dental care for our patients. Our two expert dentists—Drs. Ukti Phadnis and Vance Harper—offer multiple advanced treatments, from emergency or cosmetic dentistry to regular checkups and cleanings. If you want to know more about maintaining good tongue health, feel free to visit our website or call 860-236-4249.