Did you know your tongue talks? Yeah ofcourse you do!! Now, ask a doctor what your tongue says about you.
Your tongue is indicative to your gut health for sure but along with that it can also be a check on other health issues. In the recent times, we all have seen the effect of Covid-19 to show effect on the taste and smell of the infected person. This itself has made all of us very conscious but let this not end here.
When you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, take a minute to look at your tongue. There are small Papillae, hair-like or thread-like projections on your tongue. They are usually pink in colour. This is where your taste buds are.
A pink tongue shows good health. Make sure that you regularly clean your tongue when you brush your teeth. Oral hygiene can conversely affect your gut health, as the digestion process starts in your mouth when your saliva reacts with the food you eat. Your saliva creates an environment that is conducive for the good microbiome to thrive. When you do not hydrate yourself enough, you lessen the moisture in your mouth, causing the bad bacteria to invade the delicate linings of your gums, tongue and palate. Without enough saliva, the good microbiome cannot protect your mouth.
You should contact your doctor to review you when you see the following.
- Purple tongue : Could be assign of a heart condition, sign of poor circulation
- Green tongue : Poor oral hygiene, Fungal infection
- Orange tongue : Dry mouth, certain antibiotics can affect the coloration, less of saliva
- Red tongue : Vit B deficiency, glossitis (tongue disease)
- White tongue : Fungal infection like oral trush, acidity,
- Yellow tongue : Jaundice, poor oral hygiene or onset of diabetes
- Black tongue : Poor oral hygenie, Tobacco use, Radiation therapy, diabetes, in rare cases HIV
- Blue tongue : Lack of oxygen
The oral microbiome is the good bacteria protecting your teeth and gums. It is also what goes down your food pipe to your gut every time you swallow. To maintain good oral hygiene this is what you should do.
- Reduce consumption of processed foods that have articial additives and preservatives.
- Eat whole foods
- Stop or atleast reduce sugar intake.
- Eat fibrous vegetables and leafy greens
- Have probiotics and fermented foods that help the oral microbiome.
- Most importantly chew your food well…so that the saliva in your mouth gets enough time to work on the food before it is sent down to
- your stomach.
So next time your tongue does the talking make sure it is in the pinkest of health.
