What Your Tongue Says About Your Health: A Guide to Oral Indicators

If you’re like most of the population, you won’t pay much attention to your tongue. As long as everything looks generally the same, your tongue isn’t often cause for concern. But your tongue could help to tell a story about your wider health, so it’s worth paying attention to how yours looks.

In this guide, we’re looking at some of the most common changes you might notice with your tongue, from a change of colour to a change in texture. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to make better decisions regarding your oral health and your wider health.

First things first, what does a healthy tongue look like? Your tongue should normally be pink or red, with small bumps called papillae. The bumps are often larger at the back of your tongue.

What do colour changes mean?

If you notice any of the following changes, it could indicate something is wrong with either your oral health or your wider health.

A white tongue could indicate that you have oral thrush, or poor oral hygiene. You might need to think about how often you are brushing your teeth, or consider adding an extra step to your oral health routine such as using a mouthwash or scraping your tongue.

A tongue that is pale or light pink could indicate that you have a vitamin deficiency such as B12 or iron. This is because these are essential for creating red blood cells, and these are what create a healthy red colour.

A tongue that is purplish pink could indicate an infection or signs of inflammation. If you have other symptoms, you might want to visit your GP or a dentist.

A black tongue can be caused by certain medications, including Pepto Bismol. It could also be caused by poor oral hygiene.

A brown or yellow tongue could be caused by smoking, or a build up of bacteria in your mouth.

What do texture changes mean?

Alongside changes in colour, it’s also important to look out for textural changes.

If your tongue looks hairy, this is a sign that you have a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. You should visit a dental hygienist for advice on how to care for your oral health.

If your tongue looks more smooth than usual, this could be a sign that you have a vitamin deficiency, an infection or another condition such as anaemia or coeliac disease.

If your tongue has ridges on the edge, known as scalloped tongue, this could be a sign of an iron deficiency.

Other changes to look out for

Alongside changes to the colour and texture of your tongue, you should also be aware of the following changes that could indicate that something is amiss.

Painful spots on your tongue could be simple ulcers, but if these don’t go away after a few weeks, or if they are getting larger, you should book a dental checkup to make sure these cells aren’t dangerous.

If your tongue feels inflamed and itchy, this could be a sign of a food allergy. This is known as Oral Allergy Syndrome and can be triggered by foods like peaches, almonds and celery.

A thick coating on your tongue could be a sign of poor intestinal health. Visit your GP to find out how to tackle this condition.

Benefits of dental checkups

Regular visits to your dentist can help you to catch these conditions before they become more problematic. Another key benefit to dental checkups is that you’ll also have the added support of oral cancer screening. This will give you peace of mind if you notice changes to your tongue, as you’ll be able to quickly confirm if you need to investigate this further.