White spots

If you notice white patches on your tongue, it may be oral fungus. It is very likely to occur after medication or even after an illness. White spots that look like "lace" may indicate an inflammatory condition that develops inside the mouth, called normal oral lichen and is autoimmune.

If you see thick, white plaque on the surface of the tongue that cannot be removed, it may be leukoplakia. These plaques are usually non-cancerous. But there are cases where leukoplakia is a precursor to oral cancer. Frequent visits to the dentist and the detection of any changes in our mouth is essential.

Hairy white plaque

A rare but possible phenomenon is that of the "hairy tongue", it is a benign condition in which the image of the tongue has a coating that gives the impression of the presence of hair. This condition is due to excessive keratin deposition in the capillary nipples of the back of the tongue.

The colour of the nipples can vary from dark brown to black. Good oral hygiene, topical application, as well as tongue brushing are suggested as treatments.

If you find white plaques attached to the surface of the tongue, which are not removed by rubbing, then it may be hairy plaque. It is often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus or is a sign of HIV infection.

Burning mouth syndrome

If you feel your tongue as if you have burned it with a hot drink, strong bitter or metallic taste, numbness or tingling, then you may have "mouth burning". It is a chronic condition, mainly found in women and is often due to hormonal disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease or lack of vitamins.

"Smooth tongue"

Our tongue should normally be rough, with small bumps on its surface. If it is completely smooth, it is quite possible that it indicates that you are deficient in iron, folic acid or vitamin B12.

If they appear again in your language, "patches" of uneven areas next to normal areas, you may have a geographical language (benign migratory tongue). It is usually an asymptomatic condition, however there are patients who are sensitive to hot and spicy foods. It has also been observed to be frequently associated with psoriasis.

Very big language

Does your tongue seem to not fit in your mouth? It is often a sign of thyroid disorder - hypothyroidism. This condition causes a slowing down of the metabolic rate and a lack of energy.

Tongue with slits

Large and deep cracks in our tongue can be observed as the years go by and we grow older. But they can also be linked to psoriasis, Down syndrome, and Sjorgen syndrome. Always be sure to brush your tongue as well to remove food debris and bacteria.

Maybe now we understand why always when we visited the doctor in our childhood he asked us to open our mouths wide, to examine our tongue!

From its language and morphology we can draw useful conclusions for our health, as it can warn us in time with some signs. Any damage lasting more than 2 weeks should be evaluated immediately by our doctor or dentist.