Playing an important role in the diet, the tongue is an indispensable organ to speak. But did you know that he can also say a lot about your health? Tongue white, yellowish, dark color ... pull your tongue and find out what it hides about your health.
tongue is a multifunctional organ. Involved in the diet but also in the phonation, tongue plays very important roles.
Located in the oral cavity, the tongue is about ten centimeters long and can be divided into three parts: the root of the tongue, the pharyngeal segment and the buccal segment, or the visible part of the tongue.
This organ consists of 8 extrinsic and 7 intrinsic muscles that facilitate its mobility. It is also highly innervated, which allows it to detect tastes and sensations (cold, heat). Finally, the tongue includes 4 types of papillae located on its anterior part. A distinction is made between foliated papillae, filiform papillae, fungiform papillae and circumvallate papillae.
The tongue thus has several functions but can also be useful for detecting health problems. Indeed, the texture and color of the tongue can tell a lot about health. Normally, the tongue should be smooth and pink in color, but by consuming certain foods it may change color momentarily.
However, if the color of your tongue changes suddenly, you should consult a doctor.
Here's what reveal the color and texture of your tongue over your health:
A tongue of yellowish color:
The tongue of yellowish color may be the sign of a disorder of the digestive or hepatic system. Indeed, when one notices yellow deposits on the tongue, it is generally a matter of a liver disease or a digestion disorder.
The tongue of yellowish color may be the sign of a disorder of the digestive or hepatic system. Indeed, when one notices yellow deposits on the tongue, it is generally a matter of a liver disease or a digestion disorder.
If you notice this on your tongue, do not hesitate to consult!
A white tongue:
A whitish tongue with a thicker texture may have different causes. It may be due to a diet high in fat or too spicy, but may also be the sign of a candidiasis. This infection is caused by fungi which when they develop create a white-colored coating on the tongue.
Lichen planus can also give a whitish appearance to the tongue. This skin disease manifests itself in white lines on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks and the lips.
A white tongue may also be the result of antibiotics, neuroleptic treatment or digestive disorders.
Finally, the consumption of alcohol and tobacco can also cause white lesions on the tongue.
A whitish tongue with a thicker texture may have different causes. It may be due to a diet high in fat or too spicy, but may also be the sign of a candidiasis. This infection is caused by fungi which when they develop create a white-colored coating on the tongue.
Lichen planus can also give a whitish appearance to the tongue. This skin disease manifests itself in white lines on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks and the lips.
A white tongue may also be the result of antibiotics, neuroleptic treatment or digestive disorders.
Finally, the consumption of alcohol and tobacco can also cause white lesions on the tongue.
A pale tongue:
If your tongue is pale pink, this may indicate a lack of certain nutrients. The latter play an important role in the functions of hemoglobin and blood oxygenation. A pale tongue may also be a sign of anemia.
If your tongue is pale pink, this may indicate a lack of certain nutrients. The latter play an important role in the functions of hemoglobin and blood oxygenation. A pale tongue may also be a sign of anemia.
To remedy this, it is important to fill these nutrient deficiencies. In case of anemia, be sure to follow your doctor's treatment.
A red tongue:
Sometimes it is noticeable that the tongue changes color to become very red. This may be a sign of vitamin B9 or vitamin B12 deficiency. On the other hand when the tongue is very red and the appearance of the papillae and more developed it can reveal scarlet fever or even kawasaki disease.
The Black tongue:
This is a rather rare coloration, but still exists! The black tongue is usually not accompanied by other symptoms, but is often pasty. It is caused by various factors including, taking antibiotics or other medications, tobacco and coffee consumption, or misuse of mouthwash made with hydrogen peroxide. The black tongue may also be due to the use of oxidizing toothpaste or the development of a mycosis.
If you suffer from this problem, it is important to consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause of the coloring of the tongue and thus find the proper treatment.
This is a rather rare coloration, but still exists! The black tongue is usually not accompanied by other symptoms, but is often pasty. It is caused by various factors including, taking antibiotics or other medications, tobacco and coffee consumption, or misuse of mouthwash made with hydrogen peroxide. The black tongue may also be due to the use of oxidizing toothpaste or the development of a mycosis.
If you suffer from this problem, it is important to consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause of the coloring of the tongue and thus find the proper treatment.
Dry tongue:
The dry tongue is due to a salivation disorder known as xerostomia. The tongue is much less wet because it lacks saliva. But this problem can also be caused by Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome or by sacoidosis.
Finally, certain drugs such as neuroleptics or antidepressants may also be the cause of the dry tongue.
The dry tongue is due to a salivation disorder known as xerostomia. The tongue is much less wet because it lacks saliva. But this problem can also be caused by Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome or by sacoidosis.
Finally, certain drugs such as neuroleptics or antidepressants may also be the cause of the dry tongue.