What Your Tongue is Telling You About Your Oral Health
Your tongue does a lot of different things for such a small part of your body. Oral exploration is primarily how babies learn about the world around them. You use your tongue to kiss and to speak. Your tongue is the reason that you are able to taste and swallow food. Your tongue can also give your Del Mar dentist clues not just to your oral health but your overall health as well. As a matter of fact, you would probably be amazed by what your tongue is able to reveal about different aspects of your health. What is your tongue telling you?
A White Coating on Your Tongue
A healthy tongue is supposed to be a pretty pink color. If you notice parts of your tongue that seem to be covered with a white coating, you might be suffering from oral thrush. Oral thrush is caused by an excess of yeast that sometimes builds up inside of your mouth. The white coating could also be caused by not brushing your tongue when you brush your teeth.
White Spots on Your Tongue
Leukoplakia is a medical condition that can result from the tongue being irritated, primarily from the use of chewing tobacco or from smoking. Any medical professional will tell you to quit using these products, but you are the only one who can actually make that change. Unfortunately, white patches can also be indicative of oral cancer, so schedule an appointment with your Del Mar dentist if you notice white spots on your tongue, just to be safe.
Your Tongue is Unusually Red
Although your tongue being an unusual shade of red could be a sign of Kawasaki disease, it is much more frequently the result of a simple vitamin deficiency; most likely B-12 or folic acid. The resolution to your curiously red tongue could be as easy as adding an adaptogen or vitamin supplement to your breakfast smoothie.
Raw, Sensitive, or Painful Tongue
If your tongue feels raw or hurts in specific spots, you might have an undiagnosed food allergy or you could be developing a canker sore. These are typically nothing to worry about unless they do not go away. If this is the case, schedule an appointment with your Del Mar dental professional.
“Hairy” Tongue
It sounds gross, but occasionally a build-up of proteins will cause small bumps to form which then trap particles of food causing a build-up that resembles strands of hair. In most cases, thoroughly brushing or scraping your tongue will probably solve the issue of your “hairy” tongue.
Your teeth must be properly maintained if you want to keep your smile both beautiful and functional. The cosmetic dentistry treatments offered by Curtis L. Chan, DDS will help you obtain the beautiful smile you have always wanted, ensure that your teeth remain strong, and your mouth stays healthy.
For more information on procedures frequently used in cosmetic dentistry and your overall oral health, contact our Del Mar dental office at (858) 481-9090 to schedule an appointment.
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curtischan
on Feb 19th, 2020
8:07 am
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Tags: Del Mar Preventative Family Dentistry, San Diego Del Mar Family Dentist, What You Can Tell About Your Health by Looking at Your Tongue, What Your Tongue is Telling You About Your Oral Health
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