The mouth is a natural communicator, in more ways than you may
realize. It’s home to over 500 strains of good and bad bacteria
(thankfully, mostly the former). The trouble-causing germs can spread
like gossip to other parts of your body through the bloodstream, and
possibly contribute to serious health issues, from cardiovascular
disease to diabetes, pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s. But information flows
the other way, too, and a stinging pain on your tongue can indicate a
vitamin deficiency, a food allergy, or even hormonal changes. Read on to
learn about the broader health messages your mouth can send, from
subtle cues to cries for help.
The Sign: A Painful Sore
Translation: Chances are you’re run down, and your
ulcer (aka canker sore) is telling you to get some rest already. “They
often appear when your immune system is weakened by a cold, fatigue, or
emotional stress,” says dentist Mark Wolff, Ph.D., chair of the
department of cariology and comprehensive care at New York University
College of Dentistry. However, food sensitivities, period-related
hormonal shifts, gastro‑intestinal issues, a potential irritant in
toothpaste (some studies have found a link between canker sores and
sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent), and even accidentally biting
your cheek can trigger sores too.
Treatment: Expect 7 to 10 days of shock and ow.
An over-the-counter topical gel, cream, or liquid (look for one that
contains an anesthetic, like benzocaine; an antiseptic, like hydrogen
peroxide; or both) can dull the pain and help it heal, says Wolff.
“Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water each night may work as well,”
he adds, since salt helps reduce inflammation. If your canker sores crop
up more often than the common cold, consider tracking them in a diary.
That way you can cut out any spicy or acidic foods that may be causing
them or, if they coincide with recurring deadlines, try to fit in some
yoga or meditation to offset the stress.
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The Sign: A Dry Mouth
Translation: Oversipping at happy hour or feeling
nervous can bring on a temporary cottony sensation. (So can a sinus
issue or nasal congestion.) But if that stale, tacky feeling stays in
your mouth no matter how much water you sip, it may be linked to a
medication, says Wolff; antidepressants, blood-pressure drugs, and
antihistamines are common culprits. If you don’t address it, more than
your comfort may be at risk: In addition to providing moisture, saliva
helps keep the mouth and teeth clean by clearing away food debris and
bacteria, so its absence can foster the germs that cause tooth decay and
gum disease, says Stanley Heifetz, a New York City‒based cosmetic and
restorative dentist.
Treatment: Hydrate. “Drink lots of water, and try
green tea, which has antimicrobial properties,” says Heifetz. Sugar-free
gum can offer some relief, since chewing stimulates the salivary
glands, says Wolff: “This is especially beneficial after a meal.” If you
drink alcohol, cut back, particularly on red wine, whose tannins can
interfere with saliva production. And ask your doctor if dry mouth is a
known side effect of any medications you take -- there may be an
alternative.
The Sign: A Gray-White Tongue
Translation: That film is likely just accumulated
gunk. “The top of your tongue is like a carpet,” says dentist Graham
Forbes of Capital Dental Design, in Richmond, Virginia. “The tiny bumps,
or papillae, on it create a texture that can trap plaque.” This can
worsen if a cold or an infection throws off your mouth’s bacterial
ecosystem. And eating spicy foods, smoking, or drinking can cause the
papillae to become inflamed, locking in bacteria and debris that then
build up into the coating (or plaque) you see.
Treatment: A few gentle passes with a tongue scraper
should do the trick. Wolff also recommends brushing the top of your
tongue with baking soda, which works as an antiseptic and a cleanser.
Any swelling should go down over time, but drinking warm water with
lemon (an anti-inflammatory) or swishing with salt water may help speed
things along.
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The Sign: A Too-Red Tongue
Translation: Are you vegan or vegetarian? A smooth,
bright-red tongue may mean you have a vitamin B12 or iron deficiency,
since low levels of each can lead to a loss of papillae. People who eat
only plant-centric meals are especially prone to a B12 deficiency, since
the vitamin is found only in meat, poultry, and dairy products; iron
loss can occur in women who have heavy periods.
Treatment: Ask your doctor if you need a supplement,
which should help rebalance your diet and return your tongue to its
normal color and texture.
The Sign: Bad Breath
Translation: If your usual routine -- brush, floss,
rinse, repeat -- can overpower your morning breath, you might just have a
case of dry mouth in disguise, since a lack of moisture lets stinky
bacteria thrive. “Our mouths dry out naturally overnight, because we
may produce less saliva and often breathe through our mouth while we
sleep,” says Forbes. But gum-disease bacteria can release an odor too,
as can the mucus from a sinus infection. And if you still have your
tonsils, you may have developed a tonsil stone. “The deep grooves on
your tonsils can trap food and bacteria, and if they’re not rinsed away,
they can calcify into tiny white, pebble-like deposits that can release
a pretty big smell,” says Forbes.
Treatment: If your breath’s still funky after you
give your teeth and tongue an a.m. once-over, Heifetz recommends
sipping warm lemon water. You can also chew gum or parsley and gargle
with alcohol-free mouthwash. For sinus issues, try rinsing with a neti
pot or using a saline nasal spray; if symptoms don’t improve, talk to
your doctor about other treatments, such as an allergy medication that
may help ease your breathing. Tonsil stones may sound unusual, but one
study showed that up to 40 percent of patients may have them. Luckily,
they’re simple to take care of. You can remove one yourself with a
toothbrush, a cotton swab, or even a clean finger, says Forbes -- but if
that makes you (literally) gag, have your dentist or doctor do it.
The Sign: Stinging Tongue Spots
Translation: Feel like you’ve got the world’s worst
pimple on your tongue? It’s probably time to examine your diet. These
white or red bumps, called transient lingual papillitis, are inflamed
taste buds, and they can be a reaction to spicy foods or a food allergy,
says Wolff. Stress, hormone fluctuations, or gastrointestinal issues
could also be to blame.
Treatment: To ease the pain, try a warm salt-water
rinse or an OTC topical antiseptic gel, cream, or mouthwash. Stick to
cool beverages, and talk to your doctor if the sensitive spots occur so
often that you suspect a food allergy.
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The Sign: A Cracked Tongue
Translation: The cracks could be genetic or a sign
of dehydration, but they’re more likely a natural by-product of aging.
(Yes, just like the wrinkles on your face.) They also appear to be more
common in people who have psoriasis -- an inflammatory disease that is
thought to provoke the fissures.
Treatment: There’s nothing you need to do, other
than keep the grooves clean to prevent bacteria and food particles from
lodging there and causing inflammation or pain. Drink lots of water to
ward off dehydration, and make a habit of using a tongue scraper or a
soft-bristle brush.
The Sign: Extra-Tender Gums
Translation: You’re probably not cleaning your teeth
regularly or thoroughly enough. Skipping sink sessions can lead to
gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that results when particles
of food caught between teeth or along the gumline attract
inflammation-causing bacteria. If your gums look red and swollen instead
of firm and pink, or bleed when you brush or floss, that’s the likely
cause. But gingivitis can strike strict brushers, too: Even if you tend
to your teeth like clockwork, “most people aren’t capable of cleaning
every surface of every tooth,” says Heifetz.
Treatment: “Gingivitis is almost always reversible
with proper daily brushing, flossing, and a cleaning at your dentist’s
office,” says Forbes. Two times a day, brush around each tooth and gum
thoroughly -- “spend two minutes brushing, not 20 seconds,” says Heifetz
-- and then floss. If the puffiness or bleeding doesn’t subside after
about two weeks, it’s time to get a professional cleaning.
The Sign: Tongue Ripples
Translation: Your tongue is enlarged, and the
ripples or scallops around its sides are actually indentations from your
teeth. Sleep apnea is one explanation: Experts have found that
patients with the condition often have large tongues, either due to
genetics or because their tongue has gained volume along with their body
weight (the back of the human tongue is about 30 percent fat),
according to a 2014 study of obese sleep-apnea patients. Hypothyroidism
can also cause swelling throughout the body, including the tongue. Rule
out those two possibilities and the ruffles might point to
stress-related tooth clenching or grinding, an allergy, or possibly even
a B12 or iron deficiency.
Treatment: If you have other possible symptoms of
sleep apnea -- acid reflux, snoring, sleepiness, or memory problems --
talk to your dentist (the profession is now becoming trained to tackle
it) or doctor to schedule a visit to a sleep specialist for an official
diagnosis. If you’re sleeping just fine, ask about getting tested for
hypothyroidism, which can be easily treated with a prescription
medication.
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Dentist’s Orders
A clean mouth is part of your body’s first line of defense. These three tools can help you keep it sparkling between checkups.
Electric Toothbrush
A 2014 review of 56 studies comparing electric brushes with manual
ones found that after three months, people using the former had a 21
percent greater reduction of plaque and an 11 percent lower occurrence
of gingivitis. “You don’t have to be as perfect navigating the ins and
outs of your teeth,” says Forbes. “It does a lot of the work for you.”
We like colorful Goby brushes.
Water Flosser
Research suggests that these at-home versions of the dentist’s
sprayer can help reduce gum bleeding caused by gingivitis. “It’s a great
option for those who don’t like to floss with string,” says Heifetz,
who recommends the Waterpik Aquarius Professional.
Dental Disclosing Tablets
Here’s another way to brush more carefully: Turn your teeth (temporarily) red. Chews such as Butler G-U-M Red-cote (
$30 for 248, amazon.com)
release a dye that briefly stains plaque, highlighting problem spots.
“Using them twice a week will help you become a more proficient
brusher,” says dentist Ana Gutiérrez Gossweiler, director of the Oral
Health Research Institute Clinic at Indiana University School of
Dentistry.
