Table of contents:
- The most common tongue problems, and how to fix them
- 1. White tongue
- 2. Red tongue
- 3. Black tongue
- 4. Swollen tongue
- 5. The tongue is difficult to move
Without realizing it, the condition of the tongue can reflect the health of your body. Most tongue problems, such as a bite while eating or a burning tongue when eating spicy food, are fine and easy to treat. Even so, several other tongue problems can be associated with more serious illnesses.
The most common tongue problems, and how to fix them
1. White tongue
White tongue is usually caused by poor oral and dental hygiene, which occurs when the papillae become swollen and eventually swell. Bacterial infection can cause white, slippery plaque on the tongue.
In addition, white tongue can be caused by leukoplakia and lichen planus. Leukoplakia is a white patch in the mouth that is generally harmless, but can signal symptoms of oral cancer when it causes a sore tongue and is accompanied by the appearance of white patches in the mouth, gums, and tongue. Meanwhile, lichen planus is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the skin.
White tongue problems can be treated by maintaining better oral hygiene, avoiding smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, and maintaining a healthy and balanced diet to meet nutritional needs.
2. Red tongue
A normal tongue is generally pink in color. Eating foods that are brightly colored, such as red, blue, or purple, can cause your tongue to change color.
Even so, you need to check with your doctor if your tongue is red and appears blotches with a white border shaped like a collection of islands on the map on the upper surface of the tongue and on the sides. This is a sign of geographic tongue. Usually this condition can resolve on its own without any treatment, but consult a doctor if it lasts more than 2 weeks.
Other causes of red tongue are vitamin B12 deficiency, symptoms of dengue fever, and Kawasaki disease which usually affects children under the age of five.
Treatment of red tongue will depend on the respective cause. Generally, pain symptoms due to red tongue can be treated with pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium or mouthwash containing corticosteroids. You also need additional vitamin intake, both from food sources and vitamin supplements, to meet the body's needs.
Consult further with your doctor for more details.
3. Black tongue
Black tongue, although disturbing appearance, is actually not dangerous. The cause is the papilla (small rash on the surface of the tongue) that grows elongated so that bacteria are more easily infected. The bacteria that develop then cause the tongue to turn black.
In addition, black tongue can be caused by side effects of drugs, dry mouth, smoking habits, poor oral and dental hygiene, and side effects of chemotherapy.
Black tongue problems usually don't need special treatment because they can return to normal like the color of the tongue in general. But you can speed up the healing by changing a healthier diet; quit smoking; and do not forget to always maintain oral hygiene, including regularly brushing or rubbing the tongue.
4. Swollen tongue
Certain food allergic reactions can cause a swollen tongue. Likewise with the side effects of certain drugs, for example ACE inhibitors for hypertension and pain relievers such as aspirin, aleve, and Advil. In addition, oral herpes infections can also cause inflammation of the tongue so that it swells. Eating or drinking something hot can cause your tongue to blister and eventually swell.
Swollen tongue due to hot food / drink usually heals on its own. You just need to avoid eating and drinking hot until the tongue heals again.
To overcome other conditions you can check with your doctor so that they can be immediately followed up with the right treatment.
5. The tongue is difficult to move
Problems with tongue movement are often caused by nerve damage. For example, after having a stroke or recovering from surgery.
The tongue that is difficult to move greatly affects the ability to swallow food and speak. Treatment that can be done for this condition is physical therapy to help restore the nerves in the tongue.
