Open your mouth and look at your tongue. That may sound strange, but your tongue can tell a lot about your health. For example, a black and hairy looking tongue can signal poor oral hygiene, or diabetes. If your tongue is bright red like a strawberry, it could signal a deficiency in folic acid, vitamin B12, or iron. But, it could also mean you have strep throat, or a fever.
Is your tongue full of red and white spots? That might be a clear sign your taste buds are worn down. If you’ve eaten a pack of Sour Patch Kids a day for the last five years, or ate a piece of pizza in your mouth as soon as it came out of the oven, you’ve likely been a victim of red and white tongue. Luckily, this is fairly common and taste buds do regenerate.
So the next time you get out of the shower, wipe off the mirror, open your mouth, and inspect your tongue. You might be surprised at what you find!
One in doubt, visit your dentist for a thorough exam and have your tongue checked out. Tongue exam should be a part of your bi-annual dental check up.