Healthy Tongue :
A healthy tongue is typically pink and a thin coating is normal and consists of debris, bacteria and dead cells . It is usually slightly rough with tiny projections called papillae, which help in tasting .
Yellowish Tongue:
This is indicative of several conditions like
- Poor oral hygiene - increased bacterial buildup due to less brushing and flossing, dehydration – that is reduced water intake can cause bacteria and debris accumulation .
- Oral Thrush – fungal infection that can cause white or yellow patches on the tongue
- Underlying medical conditions like jaundice, liver, disease, or gastrointestinal diseases.
Pale Tongue
Possible causes of pale tongue can be
- Anaemia – iron or vitamin B12 deficiency is the most possible cause of a pale tongue
- Chronic blood loss due to heavy menstrual periods, internal bleeding or surgery
- Severe illness and infection or malnutrition.
Cracks and Fissures:
These if present on the tongue are sometimes considered normal, but in some cases, they may be associated with
- Dehydration,
- Vitamin deficiency,
- Conditions like geographic tongue, or lichen planus .
Change in Taste:
This could be because of various medical conditions like
- Cold or flu
- Sinus infection,
- Oral conditions like gum disease or tooth, decay
- Nneurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease
- Hormonal changes like pregnancy.
Hairy Tongue:
Does that sound weird? Yes, it is a condition with hair like projections seen on the tongue. It may occur due to
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Smoking, or tobacco, chewing
- Antibiotics or steroids
Macroglossia:
This means enlarged tongue , and can be associated with genetic disorders and some allergies
In this, there is a larger than a normal tongue, which may cause difficulty in speaking, eating and breathing. It could be related to conditions like
- Genetic disorders like down syndrome
- Infections like cellulitis
- Trauma or injury to the tongue and Tumours
White Coating.
it may indicate a buildup of bacteria, yeast linked to poor oral hygiene or infections.
Bright Red Tongue:
This kind of tongue may signal
- Inflammation
- Vitamin deficiencies Or even Kawasaki disease in children
- Infections like bacterial , viral or fungal.
- Allergies to some food or some other substances.
Burning Sensation on the Tongue:
A burning tongue can really be very uncomfortable. It could be because of health issues or side-effects of a medication.
It may be caused by
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Hormonal changes due to menopause, pregnancy or thyroid
- Dry mouth
- Acidic or hot food
- Dental issues like irritation from denture , fillings or teeth.
- Nerve damage .
