7 Health Conditions That Can Affect Your Tongue (2024)

Your tongue helps you chew, swallow, and taste food, but it can also provide a snapshot of your overall health. What are the signs of an unhealthy tongue?Your tongue might be sore, and the small bumps on your tongue (papillae) might become swollen and enlarged.

Symptoms of many acute and chronic (long-term) illnesses can appear on your tongue. Tongue changes are sometimes the first signs that something is amiss. Read on to learn what your tongue says about your health.

Your tongue may be able to tell you a lot about your overall health, so it's important to know what your tongue looks like when it's healthy. A healthy tongue is a pinkish-red color, Sally Cram, DDS, a periodontist based in Washington, D.C., told Health. A moist layer of tissue, or mucosa, lines the surface of your tongue.

You'll notice small bumps on the back of your tongue, or papillae, if you stick your tongue out in front of the mirror. Your taste buds, which help you taste the salty, sweet, or sour flavors of food, sit among papillae.

1. Red Tongue

Your tongue is typically pinkish-red in color. You may have a folic acid orvitamin B12 deficiency if your tongue appears red or glossy. Do not automatically freak out if your tongue blares red in the mirror. This change could just as easily be from that strawberry smoothie or some too-hot soup that burned your mouth.

It's also important to note that you cannot simply diagnose nutrient deficiencies by looking at the tongue. Other symptoms include:

• Changes in mental state
• Skin color changes (e.g., hyperpigmentation)
• Vision impairment

You can often correct nutrient deficiencies with supplements or tweaks to your diet. Of note: Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) minimally regulates.

Papillae may become inflamed or swollen, making them larger and more noticeable than usual. Transient lingual papillitis (lie bumps), for example, is the result of a lack of sleep, excess smoking, and stress. Those bumps are not usually a cause for concern. You can treat symptoms at home with pain relievers and saline mouthwash.

Other bumps that may occur on your tongue include:

• Canker sores: These painful ulcers can develop in the back of your throat, on the inside of your cheeks, and underneath your tongue. Allergies, hormones, menstruation, and stress can cause canker sores.
• Chancres: These are sores that develop with syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chancres might grow on the anus, genitals, lips and mouth, rectum, and vagin*.
• Lymphoepithelial cysts: These bumps usually grow underneath the tongue. You may opt to have these bumps surgically removed, although they usually do not cause pain.
• Mucocele: This is a disorder of the salivary glands in which mucus-filled cysts are found in the mouth. They may cause discomfort when speaking, chewing, or swallowing, and are otherwise asymptomatic.
• Red sores: You may notice red sores on your tongue or inside your mouth if you have herpes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Oral herpes causes cold sores (fever blisters), which are small and painful.
• Squamous papilloma: These typically occur with human papillomavirus (HPV) and are mostly benign. Some evidence suggests that large lesions are likelier to become cancerous. Experts advise the HPV vaccine for children aged 11 or 12 and adults aged up to 26 who did not receive it during childhood.

Your dentist may want to check out any bumps and sores on your tongue or elsewhere in your mouth that linger longer than two weeks. Oral cancers typically grow on the lateral and ventral surfaces of the tongue.

3. Smooth Tongue

Glossitis is inflammation and swelling of the tongue that makes it look smooth. Atrophic glossitis, also known as "bald tongue" or "smooth tongue," occurs if you lose some or all papillae, possibly causing pain and taste changes.

"When you lose [those] hairs, it can be very, very sore," said Dr. Cram. "Anything acidic or spicy or containing alcohol can really burn."

Research has shown that atrophic glossitis is sometimes the only symptom of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine. The hallmark symptoms of celiac disease are usually abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. You might also notice that you lose the little hairs that dot the surface of your tongue.

Sjögren’s syndrome is another possible cause of atrophic glossitis. This autoimmune disease targets the glands in your eyes and mouth that create moisture.

An overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast (fungus), causes oral thrush.This yeast infection looks like a heavy, white coating on your tongue.

Health conditions that may cause oral thrush include:

• Diabetes: Oral thrush is common among people withdiabetes, especially if their blood glucose (sugar) is not within a healthy range. Some people with diabetes develop a weak immune system, which makes it hard for the body to fight off germs, including C. albicans.
• HIV: Oral thrush is one of the first signs of HIV. A weak immune system, as with diabetes, is often the cause.
• Sjögren’s syndrome: This autoimmune disorder may cause dry eyes and mouth, which may lead to oral thrush. C. albicans starts to grow out of control if you do not have enough saliva.

An uncontrolled growth of cells in your mouth may produce white patches on your tongue that look similar to oral thrush. This health condition, known as leukoplakia, can be harmless or lead to certain types of cancer.A healthcare provider may opt to surgically remove the affected area to be safe. If you notice any white cauliflower-looking masses on your tongue, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible to rule out cancer.

5. "Hairy" Tongue

Hairy-looking growths, or hairy leukoplakia, may appear on the sides of your tongue. Hairy leukoplakia normally goes away on its own. A healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to treat them if the growths are severe or cause pain.

Common causes of hairy leukoplakia include:

• Epstein-Barr virus (EPV), which commonly causes infectious mononucleosis (mono)
• HIV/AIDS
• A weak immune system

A build-up of dead skin cells commonly causes a black tongue, which is generally not a sign of a severe health condition. Dead skin cells may stop shedding due to poor oral hygiene or certain medications, including antibiotics.

Smoking and drinking a lot of coffee or tea can also cause a black tongue. Tobacco and caffeine can stain the papillae, making your tongue appear black.

7. Soreness

A sore tongue might occur with diabetes. Canker sores, which are often a sign of stress, can also cause soreness. Try easing stress with deep breathing, exercise, meditation, and yoga.

Here are some ways to alleviate soreness:

• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
• Gargling with warm salt water
• Avoiding greasy foods in favor of soft and cold foods like yogurt

A healthcare provider might prescribe treatment depending on your symptoms and what's causing them. It's essential to see a dentist at least twice per year to make sure that your teeth and tongue are healthy.

Here are some ways you can clean your tongue at home naturally:

• Avoid tobacco and caffeine: Cut out or limit smoking and drinking coffee or tea to avoid staining the papillae on your tongue.
• Brush your tongue: You can easily clean your tongue using a soft-bristled toothbrush while brushing your teeth. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice per day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet: Limit sugary food and drinks to maintain oral hygiene.
• Use a tongue scraper: This U-shaped tool cleans your tongue by pulling bacteria and dead skin cells off of it.

A Quick Review

Your tongue helps you taste, eat your food, and talk, and it also provides a snapshot of your overall health. Consult a healthcare provider if you notice your tongue is not its normal pinkish color or develops thick, cottage-cheese-looking spots or ulcers.