Your mouth is full of multiple parts that play a significant role in your overall oral health. But you might be surprised at what your dentist can learn when you open your mouth for inspection. The condition of your tongue can often tell your dentist many things about your oral health and your overall physical health. What does your dentist see, and how can you benefit from understanding what your tongue says about your oral health?
Potential Signal of Disease
Your tongue can often show signs that you have other health issues simply by its appearance. For instance, a white tongue or white spots on your tongue could indicate that you have oral thrush, a yeast infection that can develop inside your mouth. It is common in babies and the elderly but also can develop in the mouths of people with diabetes. Thrush can cause lesions to form on your tongue and inner cheeks. Over time, if left untreated, these lesions can spread into the roof of your mouth, throat, gums, and tonsils, causing pain, discomfort, and bleeding when brushing your teeth.
Preventing thrush can be as simple as maintaining a good oral routine. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. If your dentist spots signs of thrush, he might prescribe antifungal medications or mouthwashes to clear up the infection. The truth is that your mouth has a variety of bacteria and microorganisms that keep it healthy, but if the balance is disturbed, the fungus can overgrow, leading to thrush.
The color of your tongue can also indicate potential vitamin deficiencies, including folic acid and B12. Your dentist can recommend that you see your doctor for blood tests to determine the best course to address those deficiencies.
Signs of Oral Cancer
When your dentist uses a small piece of cloth to examine your tongue, he looks at more than just the color, bumps, or coating. Likely he is also looking for signs of oral cancer, including tongue cancer. This cancer can affect men and women, those who smoke, and those with various genetic factors.
Since most cancers do not just appear out of nowhere, signs of tongue cancer can be caught early, allowing you to get the necessary treatment to address it. Be honest with your dentist if you note a lingering bad taste, changes in your taste sensation, numbness, tingling, changes in your saliva, discharge, pain in your mouth, bumps, bleeding gums, chronic mouth ulcers, or swelling of glands. If you have consistent dental issues, it could be a sign of deeper health issues.
Your dentist will check for signs on your tongue; further investigation might be necessary to determine if you have tongue cancer. However, if you notice any of these changes mentioned above, you should consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor.
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
When it comes to maintaining your oral health, regular dental checkups are key. The dentist can clearly understand what your mouth looks like and track any signs of potential issues. Your dentist can also recommend visiting your primary physician if there are signs of cancer or other health issues.
By making sure you see your dentist, you have the ability to catch potential issues early on and address them before they negatively impact your overall health. Ready to say “Ah” to your dentist? Schedule your next cleaning and checkup today.
Gernot Winkler, D.D.S., is dedicated to serving clients with general and family, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Located in Fallbrook, Dr. Winkler sees patients throughout San Diego County, including neighboring cities such as Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rainbow, and Temecula.