The Basics of Problems with the Tongue

Tongue is one of the strongest muscles of the body. It is basically a combination of different muscles. These muscles help us taste the foods, talk and swallow the foods we eat. a healthy tongue is pink in color and it is covered with papillae.

Since the tongue is the most used muscle of the body, having any problem in it can cause great frustration. There can be many reasons for the problems in tongue. The good news is that most of those problems are not quite serious and they either go away on their own or require minor treatment.

Nevertheless, there can be certain tongue problems which can be quite serious. Remember, the problem in tongue is most commonly not a condition. It is just a symptom of the condition. Having that said, problems like vitamin deficiency, oral cancer and HIV/AIDS can also result in the change of looks, shape and texture of the tongue. Therefore, you need to get your tongue checked whenever you feel there is an issue with it.

Reasons for white tongue

There can be a number of reasons for the coating on the tongue to turn white or the development of white spots on the tongue.

• The first to mention is the leukoplakia. In this condition, the cells of the mouth grow excessively. And this overgrowth can result in the development of white patches all over the inside of the mouth, including your tongue. The leukoplakia is not a serious condition but, in some cases, it can be a precursor to cancer. Therefore, it is quite important to get your oral cavity checked if you find any symptoms that resemble leukoplakia.
• Another common infection is the oral thrush, which is also known as yeast infection. This problem is most commonly seen in infants and elderly people. The most common reason for oral thrush is the use of antibiotics. Other causes of thrush include diabetes, lung disease and asthma.

Reasons for red strawberry tongue

There are a few reasons your tongue may turn red. In some instances, the tongue may look like a strawberry with black dots. Some reasons for red tongue are worth mentioning in this regard.

• The first reason to mention is the vitamin deficiency. Lack of folic acid or vitamin B-12 can result in the tongue to look red.
• Sometimes, your tongue may start developing patches of red color. The overall look of the tongue may be quite like a map. This condition is not harmful and it goes away on its own. But you need to see the dentist if the condition persists beyond 2 weeks.
• Another condition which involves high fever and strawberry-like tongue is the scarlet fever. This condition can be treated with the help of antibiotics.

Black hairy tongue

A black hairy tongue may look quite scary but the matter of fact is that it not something much to worry about. This condition is mainly associated with the overgrowth of papillae. And when they grow, they cause the bacteria to get trapped inside and give a black look of the tongue’s surface. Proper brushing or tongue and scrapping can help you in get rid of this condition.

Going to the dentist

Your tongue has a lot to say when it comes to analysis of your health. The good news is that your dentist can help you in diagnosing any health condition which involves change of the shape and looks of your tongue. Therefore, visiting the dentist regularly will help you not only in maintaining your oral health but also your overall health.