{"id":3665,"date":"2025-11-03T19:27:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T19:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oxforddentalidahofalls.com\/?p=3665"},"modified":"2025-12-15T22:13:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T22:13:30","slug":"what-your-tongue-says-about-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/blog\/2025\/11\/03\/what-your-tongue-says-about-your-health\/","title":{"rendered":"What Your Tongue Says About Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/tongue-1.jpg\" alt=\"Woman opening mouth to show tongue\" class=\"wp-image-3668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/tongue-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/tongue-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Your tongue allows you to taste a variety of flavors and speak clearly. But did you also know that your tongue can have a bigger role in your overall health? If you suspect there\u2019s something wrong with your tongue, the easiest thing you could do is to stick it out and examine your reflection in the mirror. If it\u2019s healthy, your tongue should be pink in color with small nodules covering it. Visual or textural abnormalities could mean it\u2019s time to call your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">dentist<\/a> in Idaho Falls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the more common tongue symptoms that can indicate you have a serious oral health issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">White Spots or Coating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>White spots or a white coating that cover your tongue are often the result of some sort of buildup on the papillae (the small bumps on the surface of your tongue). When debris, dead cells, and other bacteria get lodged between the papillae, it can cause them to swell and become inflamed, creating the whitish appearance of the buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oral Thrush<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is usually the result of a yeast infection developing inside the mouth. It usually affects the elderly and infants and manifests itself through white patches on the tongue and sometimes on the lips. People with unmanaged diabetes are also at an increased risk of getting oral thrush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leukoplakia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is characterized by accelerated growth of oral cells, which leads to white patches on the mouth and tongue. Even though it is not inherently dangerous, Leukoplakia could be a precursor to cancer, making it important to notify your dentist or primary care physician if you notice this symptom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black and Hairy Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The papillae on the tongue are a lot like the hairs of your head in that they will grow throughout your lifetime. There are cases, though, where they <em>over<\/em>grow and become excessively long. This can increase bacteria content in the mouth, because bacteria tend to get stuck to the hairs. If this happens, you might notice elongated papillae that are hair-like and appear dark or black. The good news is that this condition is rare and is typically not that serious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sore or Bumpy Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Painful sores on the tongue can be an early indicator of much more series health concerns. For example, common causes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This could happen when you accidentally bite your tongue when chewing or talking. You\u2019re likely to experience a bumpy or sore tongue until it heals completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oral Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If the sore doesn\u2019t go away after two weeks, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. The mass could be a sign of oral cancer. It\u2019s worth noting that most oral cancer symptoms are mild during the early stages, and you\u2019re not likely to experience pain right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When in Doubt, Visit Your Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tongue abnormalities can be concerning, and it\u2019s difficult to tell how serious the issue is without closer inspection. If you\u2019re ever unsure about a suspicious symptom, don\u2019t hesitate to visit your dentist in Idaho Falls. Even if the issue ends up being something relatively benign, they\u2019ll be happy to help you secure some peace of mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/meet-your-dentist.html\">Dr. Cline<\/a> is a highly experienced dentist with advanced training in General Dentistry from ISU in Pocatello. He credits this program with helping him develop a comprehensive, long-term approach to treatment planning. If there\u2019s a strange abnormality on your tongue and you\u2019re not sure what to do, Dr. Cline will carefully inspect the area, review his findings with you, and help you make the best decision for your smile. To <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clinefamilydentistry.com\/contact.html\">contact his office<\/a> and make an appointment, call 208-487-5987.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your tongue allows you to taste a variety of flavors and speak clearly. But did you also know that your tongue can have a bigger role in your overall health? If you suspect there\u2019s something wrong with your tongue, the easiest thing you could do is to stick it out and examine your reflection in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3684,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[13,16,17,19],"class_list":["post-3665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dentistry","tag-dental-health","tag-idaho-falls-dental","tag-idaho-falls-dentist","tag-oral-hygiene"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tongue Oral Health Idaho Falls | Cline Family and Cosmetic Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you ever thought about the state of your tongue? 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