You probably know that there are several signs you can watch for to get an idea of how healthy your body is. For example, you probably know that a cough, a runny nose, or a fever could be signs of a more serious issue. Still, did you know that the color of your tongue can also give you an idea of how healthy you are?
In fact, did you know that your tongue could actually turn white? This could be a sign of a few issues, such as leukoplakia or thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection. Fortunately, you should be able to deal with thrush simply by eating plain yogurt. There are also medications we can offer as well. However, a white tongue could also be a symptom of leukoplakia, which could be a sign that cancer is forming.
Still, if you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency, and some other deficiencies, your tongue could turn bright red or bright pink. However, if your tongue turns either of these colors, and you have a fever, we recommend seeking professional help right away. You see, these issues could be a sign of scarlet fever. Similarly, if these symptoms appear in children, they could have Kawasaki syndrome, which can lead to serious problems if left untreated.
However, your tongue could also turn black and could even look like it has hair on it. While this sounds uncomfortable, it’s actually fairly harmless and you may be able to reverse the issue with good oral hygiene. In reality, it may look like your tongue has hair on it, but it is actually bacteria that attaches to the bumps on your tongue.
If you’d like to learn more about dealing with a discolored tongue in Spanish Fork, Utah, please feel free to give Buhler Dental Arts a call at 801-794-9905. Our dentist, Dr. Forrest Buhler, and the rest our team will be happy to address any of your questions and give you personalized advice. We’re eager to meet with you soon.