What Your Tongue Reveals About Your Health

The tongue is one of the most important muscles in the body. Every human being has a unique tongue with distinct characteristics. When doctors say open wide they often want to check your general health. The shape, colour, coating, and texture of the tongue can all indicate more serious issues with your health. A normal healthy tongue is pink in color, has a light white tongue coating on it, and is proportionate in size to the mouth. So, what can your tongue tell you about your health? Read the

1.Bright red, smooth tongue

Pink is the normal colour of the tounge so if it’s bright red and smooth, this can signal vitamin deficiencies, especially B-12 and folate. Very bright or spotty red coloration is also a red flag as it indicates an excess amount of heat in the body and a vibrant red tip may indicate persistent emotional problems.

2. Sensitivity

If you experience a burning sensation on your tongue after brushing your teeth, this is due to the chemical that makes toothpaste foam. It’s nothing to worry about however take care when using toothpaste.

3. Texture

A healthy tongue should be slightly rough with no major bumps or cracks. Cracks or fissures down the center line could signal back problems. cracks and depressions can indicate repressed emotions and chronic disorders.

4. White coating

The tongue usually has a thin layer of whitish coating on your tongue. However a thick, pasty white can indicate problems, such as thrush.  This is associated with a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen or bloating, difficulty waking up in the morning, depression, joint pain, and digestive issues.

5. Lesions

Lesions can be caused by several things including biting, burning or eating a citrus fruit. But lesions can also indicate cancers of the mouth associated with HPV.