NYC Smile Design - BLOG - Speaking in Tongues and the Health of Your Mouth

July 26th, 2010 | 1 min read

In Chinese medicine the tongue is a reflection of diseases of the body. There are color and texture changes in the tongue that are important to know because they may indicate a problem

Red or strawberry tongue

vitamin deficiency of folic acid and B12
geographic tongue-develop reddish spots with a white border. This condition is benign and no treatment is required. Can be caused by stress or hormonal changes or allergies
Scarlet fever– This is strep infection and antibiotic treatment may be necessary
Kawasaki syndrome– seen in children less than 5 years of age. This is a syndrome that affects the blood vessels. In the very early phase of illness children have high fever and redness and swelling in hands and feet

Black Hairy Tongue

Although this condition looks ominous, it is typically nothing serious. The papillae or taste buds in the tongue are small bumps and they can grow very long and can harbor bacteria. As the bacteria grow they may look dark or black and the papillae will look like fur hence the name. This is not very common and it can appear in people that don’t have good hygiene to begin with.
Texture changes in the tongue

Canker sores of the tongue– cause is unknown but may be related to stress and poor diet
Grinding and clenching of the teeth– can cause the sides of the tongue to get bumpy due to pressure against the sides of the teeth and also get irritated
Glossitis– where the finger like projections (papillae)of the tongue are lost and appear very smooth and the tongue gets swollen
Fissured tongue-characterized by deep grooves (fissures) in the top part of the tongue. It is usually painless and cause unknown. May indicate a yeast infection,or other medical conditions such as anemia, vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Tongue Pain and sores

Burning tongue syndrome-bacterial or viral infections. Smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption. Allergic reactions (toothpaste, mouthwash,dyes)
Yeast infection
Dry mouth-from taking numerous medications or from Sjogren’s syndrome
Oral cancer-will cause tongue pain as well

It’s important to keep your tongue healthy. So always observe your tongue and look for changes. As much as flossing and brushing your teeth is important the tongue should not be overlooked. Tongue can be cleaned easily with tongue scraper and it won’t take more than 10 seconds to do. Just slide the scraper over your tongue 3 or 4 times.

Topics:

Uncategorized

NYC Smile Design - BLOG - Speaking in Tongues and the Health of Your Mouth

Related Articles

I Had Tooth Contouring and My Teeth Have Changed Color, What Do I Do?

The Best Way to Test Drive Tooth Contouring

What You Need to Know About Dental Insurance

How Do I Know If I Have TMJ?

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe | NYC Sedation Dentist | Manhattan Twilight Dentistry

Adventure is what makes a smile beautiful | NYC Dentist

Quiz-Would You Benefit From a Smile Makeover? | NYC Dentist

Slideshare Presentation - Do You Have Sleep Apnea? | NYC Dentist

TMJ Symptoms | Manhattan, New York City Cosmetic Dentist

General Dentistry | NYC Smile Design, New York City

Porcelain Fillings Benefits | Manhattan, NYC General Dentist

Benefits of Ceramic Braces | Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist

Infographic - All About Porcelain Veneers | NYC Dentist

Slideshare Presentation - TMJ Treatment | NYC Dentist

Award Winning NYC Cosmetic Dentistry Website

Unusual TMJ Symptoms | NYC Dentist

Caring for Your New Porcelain Veneers

Slide Show: 10 Oral Health Tips | NYC Smile Design Manhattan

Food and Beverages That Stain Your Teeth

Top 5 Signs You Should See a Dentist | NYC Smile Design Blog

Get a Celebrity Smile for Your Wedding

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month | NYC Smile Design Blog

What Do Porcelain Veneers Treat?

Quiz: Test Your Dental Knowledge | NYC Smile Design NY

Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Dentist