04/07/2025
Check your tongue 👅👇🏼
changes in color can indicate various health conditions. White, red, yellow, black, or purple tongues can all be signs of different issues, ranging from minor to more serious.
~Normal and Healthy Tongue:
•A healthy tongue is usually pink, with a slightly moist and textured surface.
•The color can vary slightly from light to dark pink, but it should generally be consistent across the tongue.
•Abnormal Tongue Colors and Potential Meanings:👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
📌White:👅👇🏼
White patches or a thick white coating on the tongue can be caused by thrush (a yeast infection), leukoplakia (white patches that can be caused by irritations), or poor oral hygiene.
📌Red:👅👇🏼
A red tongue, especially a bright red or strawberry red, can indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, or even scarlet fever (a bacterial infection).
📌 Yellow:👅👇🏼
Yellow tongue is often a result of bacterial overgrowth, smoking, or eating certain foods. In rare cases, it can be a sign of jaundice, which may indicate liver or gallbladder problems.
📌Black:👅👇🏼
A black and hairy tongue can be caused by a buildup of bacteria and dead cells on the tongue, often linked to poor oral hygiene, smoking, or the use of certain medications like Pepto-Bismol.
📌Purple or Blue:👅👇🏼
Purple or blue tongues can be a sign of poor blood circulation, heart conditions, or, in rare cases, Kawasaki disease (a condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels).
•Other Tongue Issues:
•Swollen or Painful Tongue: Swelling or pain, along with color changes, can be a sign of infection, injury, or other health problems.
•Smooth, Shiny Tongue: A smooth, shiny tongue may indicate a vitamin deficiency or an infection.
Hairy Tongue: This condition involves the papillae (small bumps on the tongue) becoming enlarged and trapping bacteria and food particles, leading to a hairy appearance.
•When to Seek Medical Advice:
Any significant or persistent changes in tongue color, texture, or the appearance of sores or patches should be evaluated by a dentist or doctor.
•Sudden changes in tongue color, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest pain, should be treated as a medical emergency.
(Via google)
