In both eastern and western cultures, physicians check the tongue to determine what health disorders are bothering the patient. They can also understand the level of damage caused by physical anomalies just by looking at the tongue. The tongue is like a mirror that reflects the condition of inner organs. The different parts of the tongue represent the different digestive organs.
Ayurvedic doctors used to check the tongue minutely for discovering symptoms of diseases and suggested remedies on the basis of this type of diagnosis. In those days, there were no diagnostic machines available so physicians had to use the effective method of tongue examination. In the following some of the important things that the tongue reveals about our health have been discussed.
The surface of the tongue
There are thousands of papillae on the surface of the tongue and if you touch or rub the surface of the tongue then you can feel them. They are basically small hairs between the taste buds. Taste buds are also present all over your tongue. Changes in the surface of the tongue may indicate severe underlying condition. Pale and smooth tongue surface can hint at deficiency of vital nutrients like Vitamin B. Vitamin B helps in the absorption of food energy in our body.
Its lack can deprive you from getting sufficient amount of food nutrients and calories. Smooth tongue is also the indicator of anemia and iron deficiency. If you find patches on the tongue which keeps on shifting then there might be an acute lack of Vitamin B. Wrinkled tongue can be an inborn condition which makes it rather difficult to maintain hygiene inside the mouth.
Bumps and sores on tongue
Bumps or sores on tongue can be the result of a bite or indicate some other problems. Bumps also occur due to bacterial infection. If you have sudden bumps on your tongue or if you find sores on your tongue then also consider allergy from food or something you drank. Lump on the tongue should not be ignored. It can be cancerous and has to be checked by a medical expert at the earliest. The white or gray lesions that are raised from the tongue indicate leukoplakia. It is a mucous membrane disorder caused by irritation of some kind.
Color change of the tongue
Do not be afraid if your tongue turns black. The papillae can grow and make your tongue appear hairy and darker. This type of growth can trap debris and bacteria. Causes of black tongue include lack of oral hygiene maintenance, using mouthwash with bismuth, antibiotics and tobacco usage. Use brush and floss for cleaning the surface of the tongue as this is a temporary change which will not last for a long time. If the small hairy papillae becomes inflamed by bacterial infection, fever or other diseases then it may start appearing yellowish. Strawberry or Raspberry color tongue in children generally indicates an infectious disease like Scarlet fever among children.
If you find teeth imprints at the outer edge of your tongue, it might indicate that your body is not able to absorb the nutrients properly. Excessive anxiety and tension can cause the trembling tongue symptom. Every individual should maintain the health of his or her tongue by cleansing and flossing it regularly. Scrape the tongue but do not injure it or else the taste buds may get damaged.
Use a doctor prescribed mouthwash to keep the infectious bacteria at bay. Washing the mouth every time you eat a meal is a good habit which can save you from several diseases.
Summary
The tongue is a quick indicator of not just your oral health, but also the overall health and fitness of the body. Be mindful of this easy to notice indicator, and take precautions to stay fit.