What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Health?

Open your mouth and look at your tongue. That may sound strange, but your tongue can tell a lot about your health. For example, a black and hairy looking tongue can signal poor oral hygiene, or diabetes. If your tongue is bright red like a strawberry, it could signal a deficiency in folic acid, vitamin B12, or iron. But, it could also mean you have strep throat, or a fever.

Is your tongue full of red and white spots? That might be a clear sign your taste buds are worn down. If you’ve eaten a pack of Sour Patch Kids a day for the last five years, or ate a piece of pizza in your mouth as soon as it came out of the oven, you’ve likely been a victim of red and white tongue. Luckily, this is fairly common and taste buds do regenerate.

So the next time you get out of the shower, wipe off the mirror, open your mouth, and inspect your tongue. You might be surprised at what you find!

Here are some additional facts about what your tongue says about your health:

If You See White Patches on Your Tongue

These white patches on your tongue signify oral candidiasis, which is an overgrowth of yeast or thrush. Try brushing your tongue regularly for a week to see if this is a matter of oral hygiene. If the patches persist, their cause is likely an overgrowth of candida. This condition can be treated with anti-fungal drugs.

Your Tongue is Black and Hairy-Looking

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