What Your Tongue Says About Your Health

Your tongue does more than help move food around your mouth. This strong muscle can also tell you a lot about your oral health and your overall health as well. If you have noticed some irregularities in shape, color or have sores on your tongue, it may be an oral issue or a health issue. Read on for further information about your tongue and your oral health.

Irregular Shape

If you have noticed the shape of your tongue has changed such as it has ridges on the edges rather than being rounded on the edges, or maybe your tongue looks like it has teeth imprints on the edges it could be due to grinding your teeth or clenching your teeth, or it could also be a thyroid issue.

If you are waking up in the morning with headaches or jaw and neck pain, or if your teeth have begun to hurt, it could be from grinding or clenching. If this is the case, see your dentist and wear a night guard to help protect your teeth, jaw and tongue from further damage. Limiting caffeine and dealing with stress can help prevent grinding your teeth.

If you aren't a teeth grinder and think you may have a thyroid issue, talk to your dentist first about your tongue and then visit your family physician for further testing.

Discolored 

A healthy tongue should be pink in color. If it's white it may be because you have too much plaque built up on it. Your tongue should be brushed in addition to your teeth and gums. Stick your tongue out when brushing and brush your tongue as far back as you can get and down to the front of the tongue. If you are having issues with gagging, try your best to get as much of your tongue as you can. All of that tongue plaque can cause bad breath, so don't forget to brush your tongue.

Sores

Sores can appear on your tongue from a number of things. You can get canker sores on your tongue, which can be alleviated by rinsing your mouth out with saltwater. Other sores such as cuts from biting your tongue can also happen. Rinsing with salt water can also help with this.

If your tongue is sore or has inflamed taste buds after eating something salty, hot or sour, drink water to help rinse your mouth. These inflamed taste buds will go down on their own after a day or more. 

Your tongue is an important muscle that helps move food around the mouth when chewing. If you notice anything odd with your tongue such as sores, discoloration or an irregular shape that you are concerned about, be sure to visit your dentist for an exam and a checkup. To learn more, visit a website like http://www.brooksidedentalgroup.com.