How many times a day do you look at your tongue in the mirror? Maybe not even when you brush your teeth. But did you know that this little tongue says a lot about the health of your entire body? Yes, the tongue is truly an amazing organ in our body. What exactly do we know about the tongue, which helps us talk, eat, and enjoy everything? Let's talk about it today.
What is this tongue? What does it do?
Simply put, the tongue is a very strong muscle inside our mouth. It runs from a bone in the middle of our neck to the bottom of our mouth. It's not just a piece of meat. It does a lot more than we think.
- Helps with eating: When we eat, the tongue helps us chew the food by moving it around in our mouth, pushing it between our teeth, and making it chew better. It's like a spoon that stirs the food. Then, the tongue helps us swallow the food.
- Helps with speech: When we speak, we cannot pronounce different sounds and words clearly without the tongue. Without the tongue, we would not be able to speak clearly.
- Helps with breathing: Did you know that the tongue also helps keep our airways open? Therefore, the tongue is important for us to breathe properly.
What is the tongue made of? How does it taste?
The tongue is mainly made up of muscles. It is also held in place by strong tissue inside the mouth. The tongue is covered by a pink, moist membrane. We call it the `(Mucosa)`.
Have you ever looked at your tongue in a mirror? You'll see that there are many small bumps on the tongue. We call these papillae. Inside these bumps are the taste buds. There are four types of these bumps.
| Papillae Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Filiform | Thread-like bumps located about the front two-thirds of the tongue. Surprisingly, these do not have taste buds. |
| Fungiform | It gets its name from its mushroom-like shape. It is most abundant on the tip and sides of the tongue. It contains about 1,600 taste buds. |
| Circumvallate | The slightly larger bumps on the back of the tongue. There are about 250 taste buds on this. |
| Foliate | The parts that look like rough ridges on the back and sides of the tongue. These contain hundreds of taste buds. |
How does it taste then?
These taste buds are clusters of nerve cells. When we put food in our mouths, the chemicals in it collide with these taste buds. Then those nerve cells send a signal to our brain saying, "This tastes like this." There are mainly 5 types of taste that our tongue can detect.
- Sweet
- Salty
- Bitter taste
- Sour taste
- Umami - This is the taste we find in things like meat, cheese, and tomatoes that we call "savory."
We used to have a belief that each part of the tongue could taste different flavors. That is, sweet at the tip of the tongue and sour at the sides. But that's not entirely true. In fact, taste buds all over your tongue can detect all five types of taste. But some areas are a little more sensitive to certain tastes.
What color is a healthy tongue?
A healthy tongue is usually a light pink color . However, the lightness and intensity of that pink color can vary slightly from person to person. However, if your tongue color has suddenly changed, it could be a sign of a health problem.
What diseases and problems affect the tongue?
Your tongue can tell you a lot about your health. Let's take a look at some common tongue-related problems and what they can reveal.
Is it difficult to move your tongue?
This is usually caused by nerve damage, which can cause the muscles that control the tongue to become weak or even paralyzed.
Another cause is tongue -tie or Ankyloglossia. This is when the frenum, the membrane that connects the tongue to the roof of the mouth, becomes too short. This makes it difficult for the tongue to move freely. If a baby has this condition, it may have difficulty breastfeeding. It may also cause problems when speaking. This can be treated with a minor surgery called a frenectomy.
Taste changes
Dysgeusia (change in taste perception) or ageusia (complete loss of taste) can be caused by infections, nerve problems, certain medications, or damage to the taste buds.
Does your tongue tingle?
Tongue tingling can be a symptom of a number of different medical conditions.
- An allergic reaction to certain foods or chemicals.
- Autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Scleroderma, or Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- A condition called `Raynaud's phenomenon`, in which the small blood vessels in the body constrict.
- Nerve damage after something like a tooth extraction or tongue piercing.
- A deficiency of vitamins or minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus.
Very important: Sometimes a tingling tongue can be a sign of a stroke . If you experience one or more of these symptoms along with a tingling tongue, such as a drooping of the mouth, difficulty speaking, confusion, dizziness, loss of vision, or a severe headache , call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
Does your tongue hurt? Are there any bumps?
Most often, a sore tongue is caused by a minor infection or injury. It can also be caused by smoking, canker sores, or improperly fitted dentures. Very rarely, a sore tongue can be a sign of oral cancer. But remember, not all oral cancers cause pain, and not all sore tongue is cancer. So don't panic, and if the pain persists, see your doctor.
Does your tongue feel like it's burning?
If you feel a burning sensation in your mouth or tongue, it could be a condition called ``Burning mouth syndrome.`` This is not a dangerous condition, but it is very uncomfortable. Although it can happen to anyone, it is most common in women after menopause.
Changes in the appearance of the tongue and what they mean
The appearance of the tongue, especially changes in color and texture, can provide clues to various health problems. This is a very important part.
| Tongue appearance/color | Possible causes |
|---|---|
| White spots or coating (White tongue) | It can be caused by conditions such as thrush , lichen planus , or leukoplakia , which are fungal infections in the mouth. |
| Red or purple tongue | It can be a harmless condition, such as geographic tongue , or it can be a symptom of a medical condition, such as vitamin deficiency, scarlet fever , or Kawasaki disease . |
| Black tongue | This is called black hairy tongue . Despite the name, it doesn't actually cause hair on the tongue. It's caused by bacteria, food particles, and other things accumulating on the filiform papillae on the tongue, giving it a black color. |
| Yellow tongue | It is usually caused by bacterial overgrowth, certain foods, or smoking. Rarely, it can be a symptom of a condition such as psoriasis or jaundice. |
| Swollen, enlarged tongue | This is medically known as Macroglossia . It can be caused by an accident, an infection, or a rare condition like Primary Amyloidosis . |
| Bald tongue | This condition is called atrophic glossitis . The tongue loses its rough texture and becomes completely smooth. This can be a sign of anemia or vitamin B deficiency. |
How to maintain a healthy tongue?
Maintaining good oral health is the most important thing.
- Clean your tongue while brushing your teeth: When you brush your teeth, gently brush your tongue from top to bottom and from side to side with the toothbrush. This will remove bacteria and plaque that accumulates on your tongue.
- Use a tongue scraper: These are available at pharmacies and are very easy to use to remove the sticky layer on your tongue.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking is very harmful to the health of the tongue.
- Drink plenty of water: It is important to keep your body and mouth hydrated.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
- See a dentist regularly: It is important to see a dentist on a regular basis for teeth cleanings and oral exams.
Can't you clean your tongue with mouthwash alone?
This is a question that many people ask. Imagine washing your car. When you run a stream of water, the larger pieces of dirt come off. But if you run your finger over the surface of the car, there is still a layer of dirt. To remove it, you have to scrub it with a sponge or brush.
The same goes for the tongue. On the surface of our mouth, on the tongue, there is a thin film of microorganisms called ``Biofilm.`` Mouthwashes only kill a few of the cells on the top of this film. To get a complete clean, you need to physically scrub it away with a toothbrush or tongue scraper to remove that layer of bacteria.
Finally, just like your fingerprints, your tongue is unique to you. Taking good care of it can help maintain your overall health. If you have persistent pain, changes in appearance, or any other unusual condition in your tongue, don't ignore it and see your doctor right away for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Your tongue is like a mirror that tells you about your overall health.
- A healthy tongue is usually a light pink color.
- It is important to seek medical advice if you notice any unusual, long-term changes in the color, texture, or sensitivity of your tongue.
- When brushing your teeth daily, don't forget to clean your tongue as well. This also helps reduce bad breath (halitosis).
- Never ignore a persistent sore, non-healing sore, or lump on your tongue. See your doctor immediately.
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