If you have developing oral health problems, your tongue may be the first to let you know it’s time to schedule a visit to your family dentist in Denton. Many people overlook this muscular oral organ, even when they’re brushing their teeth, because it doesn’t seem to have a massive impact on the health of your teeth and gums. However, your tongue controls and lets you know more than you think, you just need to pay attention to it! Not only is regular brushing necessary to maintain great oral health and keep your breath smelling minty fresh, but if you notice symptoms like a white film or spots, it could be letting you know that something’s wrong. Read on to learn what your tongue is trying to tell you.

A White Film or Spots on Your Tongue

If you notice that your tongue has either a white coating or spots on it, it could be the sign of a few oral health conditions, including:

• Oral thrush- This is essentially an oral yeast infection that’s most commonly seen in infants and people that wear dentures. You may notice white patches that are lumpy or cottage-cheese-y in consistency. Just like any other yeast infection, it typically develops after you’ve been on antibiotics.
• Leukoplakia- This condition causes your oral cells to grow rapidly and excessively, causing white patches to appear in your mouth. Usually, people who use tobacco may notice this as a beginning sign of cancer.
• Oral lichen planus- If you have a lacey-looking design of white lines on your tongue, it could be because of this chronic inflammatory disease.

A Red Tongue

Most commonly, extreme redness is a sign of a deficiency in vitamin B-12. Geographic tongue is usually harmless, but it can also be the cause of a pattern of red-colored dots on. Strawberry-red tongues are also common signs of scarlet fever and Kawasaki disease.

A Black and Hairy Tongue

While a black and hairy tongue sounds weird, people who are taking antibiotics, receiving chemotherapy, or have diabetes may notice it as a side-effect. The papillae on your tongue are sticky bumps that grow over your lifetime. Some people’s grow to be incredibly long, allowing them to trap more food particles and oral bacteria, causing the muscle to appear dark or black in color. It’ll be nice to know that this condition is uncommon and usually not serious, occurring most frequently in people that don’t have a good oral hygiene routine.

A Sore and Bumpy Tongue

If your tongue is leaving you in discomfort due to painful bumps, this could be the sign of a few different oral health conditions:

• A burnt or bitten tongue- Most people will know that accidentally biting or burning your tongue can make it sore until it has had a chance to fully heal.
• Side-effect of smoking- Smoking and tobacco use is known to irritate your tongue.
• Canker sore- Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are a common oral issue that usually heal on their own within a week or two.
• Oral cancer- Having abnormalities on your tongue like lumps or sores that don’t heal quickly can be a sign of oral cancer.

If your tongue is trying to tell you something, listen! Taking care of this important oral muscle will keep your mouth healthy and keep you from experiencing any of these symptoms. If you have bad oral habits that commonly cause your tongue to change in texture or color, like tobacco use, consider quitting them or trying to use them less excessively. A happy tongue is a happy mouth!

About the Author

Dr. Ted Dunson graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry, one of the top four dental schools in the entire nation. He provides comprehensive dental care, including every service from dental implants to regular checkups and cleaning. He’s passionate about keeping up with the latest advancements and technology in his field so he can give his patients the highest quality of dental care. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning, visit Southridge Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry’s website or call 940-566-4942.