TToothoothTTalkalk “Hey Doc, what are you checking on my tongue? (part 1)” When you are at the dental office, you certainly expect the dentist to check and examine your teeth for possible cavities and gum disease. However, do you know that besides the teeth, the dentist also pays close attention to your tongue? That is because your tongue reveals a lot about your general health: from anemia, to autoimmune diseases, food allergies etc. The followings are conditions of the tongue, discovered by the dentist during routine oral examination, that may reveal underlying health issues that one may not be aware of. Bald Tongue: Also known as “atrophic glossitis”, bald tongue is an inflammatory condition which causes the tongue’s “papillae” to die and shed, leaving behind a smooth, shiny “bald” appearance on the tongue. Possible causes of bald tongue include iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, Sjogren Syndrome which is an autoimmune disease, oral yeast infection, celiac disease. Patients with bald tongue can notice a burning sensation on the tongue or Bald Tongue increased sensitivity when eating acidic or salty food. Black Hair Tongue: Black hairy tongue is the result of bacterial overgrowth in the tongue “papillae”, with a yellow to black discoloration. Possible causes include recent antibiotics use, fungal infection, poor oral hygiene etc. Those with black hairy tongue may develop bad breath or a metallic taste in the mouth. Fortunately, black hair tongue is a benign condition. Brushing the tongue with a toothbrush and toothpaste or using a tongue scraper can help Black Hairy Tongue improve the condition. Oral Fibroma: An oral fibroma is a small, raised bump on the side of the tongue. It is due to the overgrowth of the tongue tissue. Most often, an oral fibroma has no symptoms and has developed because of repeated trauma or irritation to the tongue. To Oral Fibroma prevent the oral fibroma from getting larger, the cause of the trauma/irritation, such as a sharp tooth or a sharp restoration, should be eliminated. An oral fibroma can be relatively easily removed if it bothers the patient, particularly when the patient bites into it frequently during eating. Even though, most often than not, an oral fibroma is benign, it is still a good idea to have it checked by a dentist on a regular basis so that it does not become cancerous without being noticed! Scan the code below to Accepting new pAtients view our mobile site 4 Russell St. E., Lindsay www.drvictorsun.com download free app at get.scan.me Or Visit www.drvictorsun.com on you phone for our procedure list, smile gallery and more! 705-324-0050.