Tongue Is The Mirror Of Your Overall Health: Tongue Problems, How To Clean Your Tongue Effectively

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One of the most famous American authors of the nineteenth century, Washington Irving wrote, "The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use." This enormous mass of muscle, which occupies a third of the mouth, is crucial for speaking, eating, swallowing, and, most importantly, tasting food. But sadly, the tongue receives little appreciation and no special attention from most of us. If your tongue frequently changes texture and colour, it could indicate an underlying disease. As a result, cleaning your tongue is critical.

The tongue: a mirror of your overall health
The tongue is probably one of the most unique muscles in the body and can be a predictor of your overall health. The tissues of the tongue and mouth are thinner and more sensitive than the skin in other parts of the body. This makes it easier for doctors and dentists to spot the symptoms of an illness in the mouth. Even before you experience symptoms, it's best to check the tongue and mouth for disease-related signs. The tongue is rich in sensory nerves; if something is awry on the tongue, you will notice it quickly.

Here are a few typical tongue disorders that may be signs of other health problems:
The tongue can be affected by various disorders that cause discomfort. Here we shall discuss the most common tongue issues that should not go unnoticed:

• Enlarged tongue

Also known as macroglossia, it involves an abnormally big tongue in relation to the size of the mouth. It can be caused by several factors, including genetics, hormone imbalances, infections, tumours, or medical diseases such as Down syndrome, hypothyroidism, or amyloidosis. Depending on its severity, breathing, speaking, and eating issues might occur.

• Bright red tongue
  Basic nutritional deficiencies, like folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiency, can alter the colour of the tongue. The tongue papillae may not mature properly, giving a reddish-glossy appearance rather than the more typical pale one.

• Coated tongue
  A greyish-white coating is common on an unclean tongue, in smokers (called leukoplakia), and in patients who have a weak immune system (like in cancer patients or right after a severe viral infection).

• White cottage cheese-like patches on the tongue
  These scrapable, white, curdled milk-like deposits on the tongue are typical of a fungal infection called oral thrush. It is caused by Candida albicans and usually affects someone with poor immunity, as in the case of prolonged steroid medication therapy.
• Black hairy tongue
  The tiny grass-like papillae that give the tongue its rough surface grow and shed in cycles. The shedding process will take longer, and the tongue will harbour bacteria if someone has poor dental hygiene. The tongue may seem darker or even black due to bacterial debris and papillae that have overgrown.

• Dry tongue
  Dehydration is the most common cause of a dry mouth and tongue, which is readily treated by drinking more fluids. However, it can also be a sign of xerostomia, a condition where there is insufficient saliva production by the salivary glands in the mouth.

• Burning sensation on the tongue
  A burning feeling on the surface of their tongues may be accompanied by a metallic, bitter taste (or loss of taste) with or without red patches. It may be related to psychological stress, hormonal issues, and nutritional shortages.

• Limited tongue motion
  A clogged or infected salivary duct may be the cause of difficulty swallowing or moving your tongue. Difficulty in moving the tongue may also indicate a stroke near the hypoglossal nerve, a cranial nerve involved in tongue movement, eating, chewing, and speaking.

How to clean the tongue effectively
Brushing twice daily alone could be a Herculean task for many, let alone tongue cleaning. Yet, you need to make an effort to keep the tongue squeaky clean and thereby maintain your overall health.

Here are a few quick and easy ways to clean the tongue:

• Wash your mouth with plain water after anything that you eat/drink. Do not allow residual food debris to stay in the mouth for too long.
• Soon after brushing, just flip the brush over and use the other side of it to clean the tongue. Start at the back of the tongue and move forward when using tongue scrapers or cleaners. Be gentle while doing this.
• Oil pulling is a great way of naturally removing sticky and resilient deposits from the tongue and teeth surfaces.
• Warm water with a pinch of salt rinse is an amazing hack to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the mouth.
• Eat a healthy diet and drink adequate amounts of water to balance the pH in the mouth.

Conclusion
A typical health checkup includes an examination of the tongue, but there are instances when we would like to pay closer attention, like in diabetics, smokers, and those with compromised immunity. Visiting your dentist periodically is another great way of keeping yourself updated about your tongue health.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.