this human tongue It is a muscular organ located in the mouth that performs many functions such as allowing you to distinguish and feel flavors. Today we are going to tell you what color your tongue should be according to Harvard.
this language Cooperate with him nervous system and digestivewhich produces the enzymes needed to digest food, consists of receptors and muscles capable of performing various actions that allow speech.
What color should your tongue be, according to Harvard?
According to Harvard University, The tongue should be round and symmetrical in shape.Generally speaking it is light pink, although there may be some purple or brown pigmentation in African, Asian, and Mediterranean populations. It may also have a white coating.
“The coating comes from a tough protein called keratin, which helps prevent your tongue from scratching when you eat,” said Dr. Tien Jiang, a prosthodontist in the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. “
Take a closer look and you may find that your language covered by small bumpy (nipples) serve many purposes:
- They sense temperature and touch
- They contain taste buds that allow you to tell whether food is sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or salty.
- They create friction that helps you form small balls (bolus) of food that you can swallow.
Does food change tongue color?
Experts Harvard University They pointed out yes. Sometimes, diet may be part of the cause of habitual changes in tongue tone. This is because the nipples can absorb colors and residues from the food and drinks consumed. For example, blue lollipops or candy you ate as a child may turn your tongue blue. Coffee, tea, and many types of foods, such as curries that contain large amounts of yellow and turmeric, can also leave traces.
However, discoloration is usually only temporary. Drinking plenty of water and practicing good oral hygiene can remove food and dye stuck to your tongue.
What color on your tongue should concern you?
Certain tongue colors and appearances are signs of health problems. Consult your doctor if you notice any of the following:
A brown tongue anyone Black Indicates a condition called “black hairy tongue.” This happens when the nipple becomes too long. These little bumps usually don’t have much chance to grow because they fall off regularly with all the activity in the mouth. If they grow, they trap a mixture of bacteria and food dye, producing a brown or black dye. Risk factors include taking antibiotics or antihistamines, smoking, dry mouth, drinking too much coffee or black tea, or poor oral hygiene.
this thick white spots Or white sores on your tongue may mean an overgrowth of yeast in your mouth (thrush).this candidiasis Oral pain can be caused by conditions such as diabetes or HIV, side effects of antibiotics or cancer treatments, using dentures, smoking, dry mouth, or using steroid inhalers. In rare cases, white spots or sores are symptoms of oral cancer.
if you Red or yellow painful sores on your tongueyou may have oral thrush (irritation of the tissue), oral thrush (sometimes manifested as red spots), or (in rare cases) oral cancer.
A bright red tongue This may indicate that you are deficient in vitamin B12 or have a scarlet fever infection: a strep throat infection with a red rash all over your body. If you have bright red spots on your tongue that are not painful and seem to move from one place to another, you may have a harmless, incurable condition called geographic tongue.
(Information from: Harvard and Medlineplus)