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Child sticking tongue out.

What Does Your Tongue Say About Your Health?

Some people say the eyes are the gateway to the soul. At Waterstone Dentistry, we have another version of that: The tongue tells all about your health!

Your tongue helps you speak, swallow food, taste, and so much more. It can also show signs and symptoms of certain problems in the body.

Have you noticed any of these issues on your tongue?

Overly red tongue: This is commonly associated with a deficiency in vitamins like folic acid and B-12. It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements to determine if it’s right for you.

Sore tongue: Is your tongue feeling sore or sensitive? Sometimes, this can be the result of a newly forming mouth ulcer or a food allergy.

White patches: Also known as leukoplakia, white spots can appear when the tongue has been irritated. One common culprit is tobacco use.

Red bumps: If you’ve ever been sick with a fever, you may have noticed red bumps appearing on your tongue. If they don’t clear up when the illness and fever subsides, consider booking a visit with our dentist.

Hairy tongue: While this doesn’t mean your tongue actually sprouts hair, it does mean that protein build-up can cause a hair-like appearance on the tongue. If you experience this, make sure to brush your tongue daily and consider purchasing a tongue scraper for extra cleaning.

If you suspect an issue with your tongue, book a visit with us. We’re happy to help identify the root cause or point you in the right direction.

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