A tongue twister is an excellent start to a medical examination, according to American physician, Dr. Jordan S. Josephson.
A healthy tongue should be a warm, pink color. If the entire tongue or some of its parts are covered with white spots, this may indicate an infection. One of the frequent causes is candidiasis. When the infection is cured, the tongue will regain its healthy color.
An unnaturally pale and smooth tongue can also be a sign of anemia caused by iron deficiency. When the body lacks iron, the number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues and even the tongue, decreases. It returns to its normal color when the iron is replaced by diet or pills.
Canker sores, small ulcers in the mouth, can also occur on or under the tongue. Although harmless, they can be very painful and uncomfortable. They most often occur during colds and viruses, eating too many citrus fruits or biting the tongue. They should be gone in about ten days. Cleaning the tongue with a brush or scraper is very important because it reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth by 50 percent, bad breath by 75 percent, and protects against tooth decay.
#1 Heartburn yellow
Due to a fungal or bacterial infection of the mouth, the tongue may turn yellow. Heartburn is also a possible cause - watch your diet.
#2 Cigarettes make the tongue dark
The tongue can turn brown due to drinking a lot of coffee, smoking or chewing tobacco. Cleaning the tongue removes that problem.
#3 Sensitive to cinnamon
If your tongue often hurts, look for the culprit in your diet. Many are sensitive to chewing gum or toothpaste with cinnamon or pineapple.
#4 “Hairy” antibiotics
Bacterial infections, excessive dryness of the mouth or taking antibiotics are most often responsible for the feeling of a "hairy" tongue.
#5 Vitamin deficiency
A bright red or dark red tongue can be a sign of a lack of nutrients. It is most often caused by a lack of vitamin B3 (niacin). Possible culprits are a lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 or even anemia. However, the tongue can also become red due to something you drank or ate.
#6 Hormonal hot flashes
The burning sensation of the tongue or the entire oral cavity most often affects women after menopause. It is thought to be caused by hormones. Other possible causes are nutritional deficiencies, bacterial infections or dry mouth. Therefore, drinking more water or chewing gum can help, reports Beauty and Health.
Bonus video:
