Can your tongue indicate health problems?

Bumps, patches, and spots in your mouth can be harmless. But sometimes, they can give clues to what’s going on with your overall health. Infections, stress, medication issues, and even aging can make their marks on your tongue. Find out what your tongue is telling you and when you should see your doctor or dentist.

What illnesses affect your tongue?

Causes of Tongue Infection, Disease, and Pain

Canker Sores.
Thrush.
Oral Lichen Planus.
Geographic Tongue.
Tongue Cancer.
Transient lingual papillitis.
Tongue Trauma.
Vitamin Deficiency.

What Your tongue Says About Your health Chinese medicine?

In Chinese medicine, the tongue body colour reflects the state of your vital energy, also called Qi (Chee). This indicates the overall state your blood, your organ health and also your circulation. If the tongue is bright red this tells me that there is Heat present – either Excess Heat or Deficient Heat.

How are tongue problems diagnosed?

Diagnosing Tongue Problems Your doctor can usually tell what’s wrong with your tongue by looking at it. They may want to test you for medical conditions that can cause tongue symptoms, like diabetes or a vitamin deficiency. If you have a mouth tumor, you may have a biopsy to check for cancer.

What autoimmune diseases affect the tongue?

Oral lichen planus (LIE-kun PLAY-nus) is an ongoing (chronic) inflammatory condition that affects mucous membranes inside your mouth. Oral lichen planus may appear as white, lacy patches; red, swollen tissues; or open sores.

What does white coating on tongue mean TCM?

dampness-cold phlegm
The coating on the tongue Thick white coating: This indicates dampness-cold phlegm. Thick yellow coating: This indicates dampness-heat phlegm. No coating: This indicates the deficiency of yin (阴).

What does a white tongue mean in TCM?

In TCM, a normal tongue is one that is light red or pinkish, with a thin, white and moist coating. A pale tongue indicates insufficient qi and blood or “coldness”, while a purplish tongue means poor blood circulation.

Do I see a doctor or dentist for tongue issues?

Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week, if they get worse, or if your bumps keep recurring. You should also make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if you experience patches in your mouth that are red or white in colour, or sores or lumps, especially if they feel hard.