What does language tell us about our health? If you have this color, you should see a doctor.

In relation to oral health, we could say that language – the great forgotten.

We worry about the condition and appearance of the teeth, gums, but this vascularized muscle goes completely unnoticed.

And all this despite important life functions it happens in the body.

It is important to speak and communicate, chew, swallow, taste, clean and lubricate the oral cavity.

In addition to all this, the experts of the General Council of the Spanish Dental Colleges warn that the language is the body through which medical professionals can detect multiple diseases.

What diseases can be detected through the tongue?

Dentists explain it appearance of the language a healthy person is pure pink muscle.

But there is a row eDiseases that can change this aspect:

• lack of vitamins. When the patient has with a deficiency of vitamins A, B2 and C, the tongue often becomes inflamed.what is known as glossitis. But not only that, beriberi, stress or hormonal changes can cause cracks in the tongue, which is called geographic tongue.
• Anemia. A drop in red blood cells or iron deficiency, typical of anemia, causes tongue loses pink color and look paler.
• deficit vitamin B12. “If the language red, swollen, or smooth it can be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition that affects the production of red blood cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system,” the Council explains.
• fungal infection. Fungi can also infect the tongue, causing oral thrush. This infection will cause appearance of white patches on it and mucous membranes.

• liver problems Skin or eyes acquire yellowish colorJaundice is one of the symptoms of liver disease. Well, in these cases, the language can also acquire this tonality.
• Autoimmune diseases. People with systemic lupus erythematosus or Behçet’s disease may cause the appearance of ulcers and wounds in the language.
• Cardiac pathologies and circulatory problems. language acquires purple pigmentation.
• Diseases of the digestive system. The presence of ulcers or reflux can lead to tongue turns gray.
• bacterial infections. Scarlet fever or syphilis, among others, are infections that can cause changes in the tongue, such as strawberry look or painful sores.
• Excessive tobacco usealcohol, coffee, and black tea can cause a condition called “hairy tongue”which is characterized blackish color and the appearance of hair on it, but they disappear when the consumption of these products is stopped.

How to keep a healthy tongue

So that it ceases to be forgotten by our lips, Dr. Oscar Castro ReinoPresident of the General Council of Dentists, gives several recommendations for keeping the tongue in good condition.

• “Necessary proper oral hygiene. In addition to brushing your teeth, the surface of the tongue must be cleaned to destroy bacteria and food debris that accumulate in it. For this, recommended to use a tongue scraper or a special tongue brush designed to remove bacteria and food debris that may accumulate on the tongue.

One more tip: remove irritants This can range from a broken tooth, crowns or ill-fitting dentures to giving up certain consumptions such as alcohol or tobacco.

Likewise, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables This will avoid beriberi, which negatively affects the tongue.

“In conclusion,” says Dr. Castro, “ speech observation can be a useful complementary tool in the diagnosis of certain diseases and disorders. In case of any change or unusual change in the tongue, it is recommended to consult a dentist for an adequate diagnosis and treatment.