Our sense of taste is a vital organ and taking good care of our oral health is as essential as having a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Basically, our tongue can tell us something really important about our overall health and wellbeing. For one, a pink, smooth, light-moist and a little white-coated tongue indicates that there is nothing to worry about your health.
This is when you say: All is well.
Chinese and Western medicines have been using 'basic tongue analysis' to initially diagnose illnesses and conditions of patients.
“In Chinese medicine it acts like a map where certain areas of the tongue correlate to specific organs of the body,” Chinese herbalist Giovanni Masiocia said. However, Dr. Richard Halvorsen also shared that when a doctor asks you to stick out your tongue, he could only be looking for signs certain diseases, oral thrushes, infections, dehydration and kidney problems.
A black and "hairy" tongue isn't really alarming but can be a total disgust! At times, it only causes bad breath which can be resolved by keeping your whole mouth clean and fresh anytime. Proper use of toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash can be the keys.
Thus, if you notice your tongue to have white coatings and spots, it gives you a clue that fungal or yeast infection may be present. It can also indicate other illnesses like oral thrush and Leukoplakia, or sometimes, you may only need to brush and clean your mouth and that's it!
A red tongue calls for lack of nutrients. Common among children, strawberry or raspberry tongue signals vitamin deficiency -- folic acid, iron as well as other essential vitamins and minerals. Likewise, allergic reactions and thyroidism can be the "culprits" of a swollen and beefy red tongue.
A yellowish tongue signifies that there is either an increased production of sulfur compounds or an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. Yellow discoloration can also be a sign that there is a gallbladder or kidney issue that requires medical attention.
Once you see a brown or a dark spot on your tongue that seems not to change or disappear over time, you need to see a doctor as Gifted Green report says that it could be sign of skin cancer (melanoma).
Catch this video for a more detailed information about what the color of your tongue may tell you.