Healthy Tongue
The tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the body, and it is normally pink in color. Changes in color or the appearance of spots may indicate a health problem.
White Spots:
Leukoplakia
Excessive growth of cells in the mouth, causing white spots.
Oral Candidiasis
A fungal infection that causes large white spots. It affects people with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, or those who wear dentures.
Oral lichen planus
It appears as white lines on the tongue and can improve with good oral hygiene and by avoiding irritants and tobacco.
Red tongue:
Geographic tongue
A noncontagious inflammation that can be caused by infections, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and other factors. It begins as a small white patch.
Scarlet fever
A childhood illness that can cause “strawberry tongue.”
Kawasaki syndrome
It affects children under 5 years of age and can cause “strawberry tongue,” associated with fever and swelling of the hands and feet.
Macroglossia
An enlarged tongue, common in hereditary or congenital disorders.
Relationship to Digestive Diseases:
Coated Tongue
The appearance of a white or yellowish coating due to the accumulation of bacteria or food debris. It is associated with digestive problems such as chronic gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome.
Peeling tongue
The tongue becomes red and smooth, often as a result of gastroenteritis.
Dry tongue
Occurs with acute diarrhea or dehydration.
Tongue lesions in children:
Whitish tongue
Caused by poor hygiene, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, dehydration, or fungal infections.
Oral candidiasis
White lesions that leave an inflamed surface when removed.
Cracked tongue
Deep fissures that can cause bad breath and secondary fungal infections.
Herpes infection
Vesicular lesions that develop into ulcers in less than 24 hours, accompanied by symptoms such as fever and sore throat.
