The tongue is a muscular organ that allows us to speak, taste different foods, and swallow.
Did you know that the color of the tongue determines his health condition?
What is the color of your tongue?
In this article, we will introduce you to what a healthy tongue color is and when it is necessary to seek medical help.
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then the tongue is definitely an important indicator of the state of the body. The appearance of your tongue gives doctors insight into certain aspects of your health, and its color is one of the most important indicators.
What should the language look like?
The tongue should be round, symmetrical, and light pink in color. However, it should be noted that Africans, Asians, and Mediterranean peoples may have some purple or brown pigmentation.
The coating of the tongue is formed from the resistant protein keratin, which protects against scratching and wounding during eating.
Looking closely, you can see small bumps (papillae) on the tongue, which serve several purposes:
- They are sensitive to temperature and touch;
- They contain taste receptors, thanks to which we determine each food as salty, sweet, sour, bitter or spicy;
- They aid the process of swallowing food.
Can diet affect tongue color?
Yes, sometimes the food we eat can be the cause of deviations from the usual color of the tongue. This is due to the fact that the papillae absorb the colors and residues of the foods and drinks we consume. We have all seen how colored ice cream, lollipops or candy can stain a child's tongue in a variety of colors. Coffee, tea and many types of foods, such as dishes with turmeric, can also stain the tongue unusually. However, in these cases, the staining is only temporary. Drinking enough water and maintaining good oral hygiene will quickly wash away the food and stains that have stuck to the tongue.
Dark or light tongue, white spots and other causes for concern
Certain tongue discolorations and appearances are clear signs of health problems. You should consult a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
Brown and black shades on the tongue signal a condition called "black hairy tongue". This occurs when the papillae become too long. Large papillae trap more bacteria and food debris, which causes the tongue to turn brown or black. The factors that most often lead to a “black hairy tongue” are smoking, dry mouth, excessive consumption of coffee or black tea, poor oral hygiene, and taking antibiotics.
White spots on the tongue – this condition is usually associated with an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth – also known by the medical term Candidiasis. Candidiasis can be caused by diabetes, HIV, wearing dentures, smoking, dry mouth, steroid inhalers, a side effect of taking antibiotics, etc. In very rare cases, white spots can be a symptom of oral cancer.
If there are painful sores on the tongue with a red or yellow tint, then it is most likely a case of aphthae (irritated tissues), candidiasis (which in rare cases manifests itself as a red discoloration of the tongue) or in rare cases, mouth cancer.
A bright red tongue is usually an indication of a vitamin B12 deficiency or an infection called scarlet fever – caused by streptococcal bacteria in the throat and accompanied by red rashes on the body. The presence of bright red spots that do not cause pain and move from one place on the tongue to another is usually an indication of a harmless but incurable disease called "geographic language".
Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper?
Good oral hygiene requires brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. However, you should also take the time to clean your tongue.
Cleaning the tongue can be done in several ways – with the back of the toothbrush (usually the back of the brush head is embossed and is used to clean the tongue), using special tongue brushes or using other special devices called tongue scrapers.
Stick out your tongue and, with light, smooth movements, start sliding your toothbrush, tongue brush, or tongue scraper from the back to the front. One swipe down the middle of your tongue, one swipe down the left, and one swipe down the right. This will remove bacteria and food debris that are stuck to the papillae on your tongue.
Are you worried about your tongue? What should you do?
If you're worried that something is wrong with your tongue, especially if you have sores that don't go away, a sore throat, or other worrisome symptoms, then it's time to seek medical or dental care.
Your dentist can assess your condition and prescribe something to relieve the condition, such as a medicated mouthwash. Key factors for tongue health are good oral hygiene and good oral hydration.
To maintain excellent oral hygiene, and hence good tongue health, it is recommended professional teeth and tongue cleaning at least once every 6 months.
At Specialized dental clinic Bushkalova For teeth cleaning we work with innovative Swiss technology Guided Biofilm Therapy. Cleaning teeth and gums becomes as comfortable, safe and effective as possible. Tartar removal, plaque removal, tongue cleaning and disinfection of the entire oral cavity.
To clean the tongue of patients in our clinic we use the German tongue brush TS1 Tongue Sanitizer – a professional solution for every practice.
Why should the tongue be cleaned at the dentist's office?
Approximately 601% of all bacteria in the mouth are found on the tongue.
Bacteria growing on the surface of the tongue are the main cause of bad breath (halitosis).
Every professional dental practice must include tongue cleaning in their teeth and mouth cleaning package.
Why did we choose TS1 Tongue Sanitizer?
- Significantly better tongue cleaning compared to conventional brushes;
- Deep cleaning of the tongue by vacuuming the bacterial coating on the tongue;
- Removes bacterial coating on the tongue from the oral cavity;
- Does not cause irritation or trauma to the papillae of the tongue.
To every patient we professionally clean their teeth with Guided Biofilm Therapy, we also clean the tongue with vacuum brush TS1.
In addition, as a bonus at the end of the procedure, we give away the TS1 vacuum brush so that each patient can take care of their tongue hygiene at home.
