Bumps, white patches and small dots in the mouth and tongue can be harmless.
But sometimes they can give you a hint of what’s really going on with your clothes health.
Changes in ours languages can even be a sign of some fatal diseases.
So next time you brush your teeth, take a look at your tongue, you might find a lot of…
1. White spots that can be scraped off
White spots that can be cleaned with a toothbrush can be a sign oral thrush, says the NHS GP Dr Rachel Ward from The Woodlands Medical Center in Didcot.
“It is often associated with soreness, bad taste and difficulty eating to drink.
“Albeit verbally milkmaid is common and usually easily treatable, if it becomes a recurring problem, it could indicate another underlying health problem, such as an immune system problem or deficiency,” she explained
2. White spots on the tongue and inside the mouth that do not go away.
The presence of white plaques on the tongue that do not come off is called leukoplakia.
“It’s caused by chronic exposure to irritants like smoking,” she explained.
“They are mostly benign, but can be precancerouscancerous and should be reviewed by your dentist or doctor,” adds Dr. Rachel.
3. Mouth ulcers
“Ulcers in the mouth and tongue are common and although painful, they usually heal on their own within a few days,” explained the GP.
“If you have a non-healing ulcer or a new lump on your tongue, this could be a sign of oral cancer and you should see your doctor or dentist immediately,” she added.
4. Geographic language
Geographical language is when your tongue resembles the outline of a map.
“This is a common condition and not serious, but can cause soreness if you eat certain foods, such as citrus or spicy foods.
“The best way to deal with this is to avoid the offending food,” explained Dr Rachel.
5. Hairy tongue
The term “hairy tongue” is used to describe an abnormal coating on the surface of the tongue, the therapist said.
It’s a relatively common, temporary and harmless condition, she added.
A hairy tongue occurs due to insufficient stimulation of the upper part of the tongue, which causes too much bacteria or yeast to grow in the mouth.
This bacteria accumulates on tiny rounded projections called papillae that lie along the tongue.
Instead of shedding as usual, papillae begin to lengthen.
In severe cases, they can grow up to 15 times their normal length, giving a hair-like appearance.
“It’s most often caused by poor oral hygiene or smoking,” she added.
