“Stick out your tongue and say “Ahhh” – we all know the taste of a white coating in our mouth in the morning. This is a completely normal phenomenon and should not cause cause for concern, but if the plaque becomes too dense and noticeable, we can talk about a fungal infection of the oral mucosa. In both adults and children, the tongue is a reflection of the health of the gastrointestinal tract. That is why doctors can determine a particular disease by looking at the patient’s tongue.
Healthy tongue
A healthy tongue is pale red or pink in color, moderately moist and mobile. The presence of a thin layer of whitish coating on the tongue is a sign that the digestive tract is normal.
Anyone who constantly monitors the color of their tongue can identify the first signs of the disease. Be careful with your diagnosis! Don’t overestimate your abilities and consult a doctor! Your suspicions about the presence of any disease cannot replace a trip to the doctor.
meet:
The author of this article is a leading gastroenterologist at the Prima Medica network of clinics,
doctor of the highest category Dzhizalov Atsamaz Khasanovich.
- work experience since 2006
- graduated from the Saratov Military Medical Institute
- clinical residency in 2016
What diseases does this or that coating on the tongue indicate?
- The papillae on the tongue are enlarged in size and have a red color (crimson tongue): such a tongue indicates the presence of an infectious disease (scarlet fever).
- A tongue that has an almost black coating may be a side effect of antibiotic treatment.
- A bright red, inflamed tongue may indicate a lack of vitamins. Such tongue may also be a sign of anemia or diabetes.
- An unnaturally large tongue may be a sign of thyroid disease, or may appear as a result of a brain tumor.
- A severely swollen tongue indicates the presence of a life-threatening allergy.
- A tongue that is too dry may indicate salivary gland disease or diabetes.
- Spasms or bursting sensations in the abdomen in the presence of a red tongue may signal a disease of the gastrointestinal tract or liver.
- A thin, smooth and flattened tongue indicates the presence of anemia, intestinal disease, or treatment with antibiotics.
- A tongue with teeth marks or an uneven coating (called “geographic tongue”) may indicate nighttime teeth grinding or tongue biting. Most often, such tongue has no medical significance, but can also be a sign of vitamin deficiency.
- A “lacquered” bright red tongue, accompanied by a burning sensation and impaired taste perception, signals a deep chronic iron deficiency.