Your Tongue’s Color Can Give You Key Input About Your Health
Beyond noticing how good or bad something tastes, you may not pay much attention to your tongue. But believe it or not, your tongue is a great indicator of your overall health.
“The size, shape and color of your tongue can indicate medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, thrush infections and vitamin deficiencies,” says Seth Linker, MD, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) at Geisinger.
Here are some signs your tongue may be giving you and what they mean.
What does a white coating on your tongue mean?
There’s more than one reason your tongue may appear white, but they can all be treated — some without a doctor’s visit.
Thrush
A white coating on your tongue, or one that resembles cottage cheese, can indicate you have a fungal infection called thrush. The coating can appear on the inside of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, the back of your throat or your lips. When you scrape off the coating, you may see a little bleeding, or you may have redness and pain when you eat or swallow.
“Your tongue is home to many different organisms, including bacteria and yeasts,” says Dr. Linker. “If the pH balance is disrupted, it can cause thrush.”
More commonly seen in infants and the elderly, you can get thrush as an adult from:
- Taking antibiotics, corticosteroids or birth control pills, which can throw off your body’s normal balance or weaken the immune system
- Diabetes and high blood sugar levels that allow yeast to thrive
- Dentures that don’t fit well, trapping food particles and feeding yeast
- Tobacco use or vaping, which can damage your oral mucus and make your immune system weaker
- Poor oral hygiene, like skipping daily flossing and brushing
- Dry mouth from lack of saliva
Your doctor can recommend an antifungal medication to clear it up.
Dehydrated Tongue
When you don’t drink enough water, your mouth can stop producing needed saliva and your tongue can develop a white color. A dehydrated tongue may also have a dry, rough texture.
“Your tongue is covered in papillae that produce protective substances that keep bacteria in check,” says Dr. Linker. “If you don’t drink enough water, your system can’t keep up — so focus on rehydrating.”
What does a brown tongue mean?
The cells on your tongue are constantly growing. For some people, these cells grow faster than your tongue can shed them and can resemble fuzz or hairs. As bacteria grow on them, they can turn brown or black.
A black or brown tongue, known as “hairy tongue,” isn’t harmful. But it may be unsightly and cause bad breath. Hairy tongue is commonly caused by:
- Tobacco use or vaping
- Drinking black coffee or tea
- Poor dental hygiene
- Antidiarrheal or anti-nausea medications with bismuth
“Liquid diets may also cause hairy tongue,” says Dr. Linker. “Normally, solid food scrapes cells off your tongue. Without that natural sloughing, your tongue may get a hairy appearance.”
Not to worry, though. The discoloration isn’t harmful and will go away after you brush your teeth.
If you notice hairy tongue, talk to your dentist. They may recommend using a tongue scraper or brushing your teeth differently.
Strawberry Red Tongue
A strawberry or raspberry tongue is a glossy, bright red tongue with white bumps. The bumps are your tongue’s papillae and may look like seeds on a berry. There are a few possible causes, so it’s worth mentioning to your doctor.
Viral infection
Viruses can cause a strawberry tongue. Scarlet fever, caused by the same bacteria as strep throat, is a possibility. Causes common in children include Kawasaki disease and hand, foot and mouth disease.
Vitamin or Iron Deficiency
The cells on your tongue require nutrients like B12 and iron to mature. Without nutrients, these cells can die off, causing your tongue to appear smooth. Are you low on B12 or iron — a condition sometimes called anemia? You may develop strawberry tongue.
That strawberry tongue is a sign to visit your doctor and learn whether you have a virus or need supplements.
Wrinkles, Ridges and Valleys
As your tongue ages along with the rest of your body, it may show cracks and ridges. While it may look serious, these ridges are harmless.
Ridges in your tongue can also be caused by other conditions:
- Geographic tongue: Smooth, red patches that resemble a map. This can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, allergies or medical conditions.
- Scalloped tongue: Indentations on the side of the tongue. This can be caused by stress or an overactive thyroid.
See changes in your tongue? Talk to your healthcare provider.
Most tongue changes are harmless and temporary. If you notice anything abnormal about your tongue, start by talking to your healthcare provider. They can determine the cause behind your tongue changes — and if necessary, start treatment.
