If you have a white tongue, it means that your mouth may have a buildup of bacteria, dehydration, or an underlying condition like oral thrush or poor oral hygiene.

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11 Things Your Tongue is Telling You About Your Health

Your mouth can tell you a lot about your health, any dentist will tell you that. But did you know that your tongue, specifically, can signal quite loudly whether or not you are in good health? Changes in the appearance, color, texture, and more can signify underlying health issues. This is what a healthy tongue looks and feels like and what anything other than that might be trying to tell you about your health.

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What Does A Healthy Tongue Look Like?

Human Emotions, Reactions And Attitude Concept. Closeup portrait of African American girl showing sticking out her tongue at camera, playing and having fun. Goofy kid fooling around

An unhealthy tongue is the opposite of everything just mentioned. It has improper colorings and discolorations, sensations, pain, uneven texture – the list goes on. These are some of the more common tongue problems and ways that your tongue is trying to tell you that there is something going on with your health that requires your attention.

Red Tongue

Strawberry tongue in case scarlet fever. (Strawberry tongue is the name given to a swollen, bumpy tongue. Most often, the enlarged tongue is very red, like a strawberry or raspberry.)

Your tongue should be pink to light red in color. A deeper red or purple color may signify that there is something wrong. A red tongue can be a sign of various health conditions, including:

Geographic tongue: This is when there are red patches with white borders that have the appearance of a map on the tongue’s surface. The position of patches may change over time. It is generally harmless.
B vitamin deficiencies: In particular, deficiencies of vitamins B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cobalamin). An improvement of vitamin status should return the tongue to a normal color.
Kawasaki disease: Most common in children under 5, this is a serious condition characterized by high fever and a strawberry-like appearance of the tongue. If left untreated, it could lead to heart problems.
Scarlet fever: This is another serious condition that coincides with strep throat. It can cause large bumps on the tongue or a strawberry-like appearance. It can be fatal if left untreated.

If you notice your tongue appearing red or purple instead of its usual pink hue, it may be worth speaking with your doctor to determine the underlying cause. While in many cases it can be harmless, there are cases in which it needs to be treated.