What Does it Mean when your Tongue is ____?

A healthy tongue is pink and has a covering of tiny papillae. Now and then, a patient comes to our dentist Northbrook IL and complains that there’s a problem with their tongue. In the majority of the cases, the problem is benign and/or reversible. Here are some tongue problems and what they mean according to the dentist Northbrook IL Dr. Steven N. Kacel, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., F.A.D.I.

White Tongue

If your tongue has a white coat, you could have a condition called leukoplakia. This happens when the cells in your mouth start growing too quickly and cause white patches on your tongue and other areas of your mouth. Though leukoplakia is benign, it may mean that you’re at risk for oral cancer. Let your dentist in Northbrook, IL or dentist Highland Park, IL examine your tongue and find out what’s going on.

White patches that look like cottage cheese on your tongue are a sign of thrush, which is a yeast infection. Thrush most often happens to people whose immune systems are compromised or after they’ve been on antibiotics that destroy the good as well as the bad bacteria in their mouth. You can take medications or eat yogurt to rebalance the bacteria in your mouth.

Lichen planus looks like someone has draped a patch of white lace over your tongue. Dentists aren’t sure what causes it, but it usually resolves on its own.

Red Tongue

Geographic Tongue

This condition presents as red spots with white borders all over your tongue that look like a map. Geographic tongue is harmless, but you should go to your dentist to make sure if it lasts more than two weeks.

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

People who are deficient in vitamin B-12 often have a red tongue. Supplements of the vitamin should correct it.

Black, Hairy Tongue

This condition is startling, but it is also benign. It happens when the papillae grow long and hairlike and trap bacteria that turn them black. Fortunately, black hairy tongue is uncommon and can be prevented by good oral hygiene.