When we think about oral health, it’s very easy to forget about our tongues and the huge role they play in our dental health. Our tongues are super important and can give lots of clues about our overall oral health. Any lumps, bumps or patches could be harmless, but ever so often, they are signs of other things going on below the surface. Many things can impact our tongues; these include medications, infections and even stress. So, let’s have a look at what your tongue could be telling you.
A ‘hairy’ tongue
If your tongue has what looks like a black or brown coating on it, this could mean that you’ve got a buildup of bacteria layering your tongue’s surface. In most cases, this should go away with a good brush and scraping of the tongue’s surface. However, it could be an indicator of oral hairy leukoplakia, which is a condition that the Epstein-Barr virus can cause. If you are worried, contact your dentist in Nottingham for more information and book an appointment.
White patches on the tongue
In some cases, white and cream-like patches on the tongue could be signs of oral thrush; this is a fungal infection. Often when we take medications, especially antibiotics, our bodies are thrown off of their natural balances, causing thrush. If you have white patches that can’t be scraped away, it’s time to contact the doctor to get checked out.
Burning tongue
If your tongue feels like it’s on fire and burning up or you get a metallic or bitter taste, you could be suffering from burning mouth syndrome; we can actually have issues with the nerves on our tongues. Other issues such as dry mouth, acid reflux or infections can affect this too. If you’re worried, then contact your dentist in Nottingham for more information.
Lumps and bumps
If you find a painful little bump on the tip of your tongue, this is very common and usually causes some type of irritation. Lumps and bumps could be caused by a multitude of viruses; this is usually nothing to worry about, but if they are persistent and don’t go away, it’s always best to contact your doctor for an examination.
Fissured tongue
As you get older, you might find that you have deeper grooves in your tongue. However, this is common and nothing to be worried about; as long as you make sure you keep it clean, no problems should develop.
Sign of mouth cancer
Many growths in the mouth and on the tongue are harmless, but for some, there are signs that it could be cancer. If you have sores that don’t heal or trouble chewing, you really should go and get these checked by a doctor; as with all cancer, the sooner it’s caught, the better the chance of a full recovery.
When it comes to the tongue, lots can happen and change. For the most part, it’s nothing to worry about, but you’ve probably noticed by now that it is always best to get things checked if you’re unsure.
