The appearance of the tongue is an important indicator of a person’s overall health. As a rule, it should be pink, varying between a lighter and darker tone, with small bumps across its surface, the papillae.
Changes in its appearance, such as discoloration, changes in texture and the appearance of sores, can be the first symptoms of health problems. The lack of vitamins, allergies and low immune system, for example, stand out.
Here are five characteristics that can and should serve as a warning:
white spots
The appearance of white spots on the tongue can be indicative of a fungal infection. The Candida fungus, for example, normally lives on the skin or mucous membranes. His proliferation can be caused by a drop in the capabilities of the immune system caused by stress or following the use of antibiotics, for example. Medications kill bacteria that are important for the balance of the system, leading to the appearance of white plaques on the tongue.
“It is a very white layer on the top, on the sides of the tongue and below”, details the American dentist Uchenna Akosa, when site Shape. Stains can be softened with proper cleaning of the tongue and, in more serious cases, with the use of antifungal medications.
Smooth tongue
A healthy person’s tongue is made up of small bumps on its surface known as taste buds. Individuals deficient in B12 and iron, however, may have a smooth, shiny tongue.
This is because the two are important nutrients for the production of red blood cells, responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Their lack, in turn, impairs the oxygenation of the organs and the tongue, causing the papillae to wear out.
“Suddenly, the tongue becomes shiny and loses its texture,” says dentist Mark Wolff, a dentist at Penn Medicine in the United States.
Canker sores
Chronic stress causes symptoms throughout the body, and one of them is the spontaneous formation of canker sores on the cheeks, gums and tongue. Small injuries can also arise as a result of actions triggered by stress, such as biting the cheeks and tongue when clenching the teeth.
Canker sores can also be caused by allergies to foods such as cheese, strawberries and coffee, or by hormonal changes during menopause. Although uncomfortable, the sores heal naturally in regarding two to six weeks.
yellow spots
The appearance of yellow spots on the tongue can be indicative of gastritis. One of the characteristics of the disease is reduced salivation – consequently, dead skin cells are eliminated less frequently, forming yellowish plaques on its surface.
Strawberry look
The reddish appearance, with a radiant tone, and the appearance of white dots scattered over the tongue, is a sign of food allergy, especially to certain fruits and vegetables. The condition is known as “strawberry tongue”.
A red tongue can also be caused by bacterial infections in the throat. When this occurs, bacteria release a toxin onto the tongue, leading to scarlet fever.
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