When most of us look at our tongue it’s usually when we are brushing our teeth and just making sure there are no debris left on our tongue.

But when doctors look the tongue, they can see a lot more. The amount of information the tongue can reveal about the human health is quite bewildering.

The same way as the face, the tongue changes colours/shades, shape and surface texture providing a current health state update.

Many conditions cause symptoms throughout the body – some show up in the skin, others in the mouth and some even in fingernails – but the tongue is a part of the body that reveals a high percentage of health issues.

No wonder the doctor always want to take a peek at it. A close look at your tongue (and everything else inside your mouth) can reveal much about the overall state of your health.

Here are some abnormalities that show up on the tongue – and sometimes mean that something more serious is at stake.

1. White Tongue

A white tongue might be an indicator of illness, other issues or you just need to brush your teeth.

What other issues? A white tongue could be a sign of excessive smoking, in which case the white colour can actually indicate leukoplakia, caused by irritation from tobacco – sometimes an early sign of cancer.

Oh, we saved the best for the last. A white tongue might also be (brace yourself, this is quite gross) oral thrush, also known as a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. This is common with people who have just finished taking a round of antibiotics. If the white doesn’t disappear with your cold, it’s definitely best to get it checked out by your dentist to figure out how to proceed.

2. A Smooth Tongue

A smooth tongue may be a sign of nutritional deficiency. A pale, smooth tongue is usually a sign of iron-deficiency anaemia or a lack of Vitamin B, which are important to the body’s use of food for energy.

This usually happens because the body does not have the oxygen necessary to maintain healthy red blood cells which can be caused by the iron-deficiency or anaemia.

3. A Sore or Lump On One Side of The Tongue

Small ulcers in the mouth that appear on the tongue as a bump with a pink color and often feel sore are known as canker sores. Certain foods are known to trigger canker sores, such food such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and the notorious pineapple.

Apart from food there are other causes of canker sores. On a good day, could be a warning of bacterial or viral infection or that you mistakenly bit your tongue.

On a bad day, this may be a sign of cancer and should be looked at by a doctor. Untreated syphilis can develop into a cancer on top of the tongue.

4. A Red Tongue

A red tongue more often signals underlying problems in children’s health. A strawberry or raspberry tongue can be one of the symptoms of scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease. Adults less often manifest these signs.

If your mouth hurts and your tongue looks smooth and red, your diet may be deficient in niacin, an important B vitamin. Time to see a doctor.

5. Map Like Patches On The Tongue

A tongue with patchy lesions bordered in white that seems to change location from day to day could be geographic tongue, or benign migratory glossitis. It’s usually harmless, caused by losing some of the little bumps that blanket the tongue.

The cause of geographic tongue is unknown but thought to be genetic. If the patches last for more than two weeks, consult a doctor who can prescribe medication to alleviate any discomfort.

6. A Brown Spot On The Tongue

A spot on the tongue that has turned brown or otherwise darkly coloured could possibly be a form of skin cancer called melanoma

7. Yellow Tongue

This is usually an indication of bacterial overgrowth and a sure sign that there is a need for better oral hygiene. Without in rare instances, yellow discolouration can indicate liver or gallbladder problems.

8. Black/Hairy Tongue

A black hairy tongue? Don’t be alarmed.

Black hairy tongue is a harmless, temporary, but unsightly overgrown “hair” that traps bacteria an d other mouth debris. Along with the colour change, you might notice a metallic taste in your mouth and generally bad breath.

A black tongue would totally be a sign of disgust but this rather alarming symptom signals poor oral hygiene, overuse of antibiotics or other everyday items like mouthwashes, coffee and tobacco.

Back hairy tongue resolves on its own, but check with a doctor if symptoms last beyond ten days.

9. Dry And Pasty Tongue

This simply means that you aren’t drinking enough body or you slept with your mouth open and the body is dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water in the morning before will help alleviate a dry mouth.

10.Swollen Tongue

A swollen tongue is due to an allergic reaction, but it can also be a sign of hypothyroidism, especially if your tongue is also pale.

If your tongue is swollen and beefy red, it’s a signal of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Conclusion

When a tongue is moist, healthy-light red or pink in color with a white coating- all is well.

Anytime you notice pain, burning, swelling, changes in your ability to taste, abnormal movements or difficulty in moving the tongue, do not hesitate to see a doctor.

- See more at: http://giftedgreen.com/2014/blog/2014/10/14/10-things-your-tongue-can-tell-you-about-your-health/#sthash.0yr1Xdd0.dpuf

Nice info. This is one of the reasons why I like nairaland. Always something to learn. Big ups @OP

Nice info op
but it means no one tounge is healthy since white and red are not.. Abi which color dey again?
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Btw Hairy tounge?? You mean people grow hair on their tounge??

Nice piece OP