Iron deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia – A pale (almost white), smooth tongue can be caused by a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12.
Anemia can cause symptoms in the mouth, such as a sore tongue and ulcers, but more commonly affects other aspects of a person's overall health.
One large sign of anemia is called anemia tongue. It is typically characterized by an inflamed or swollen tongue in multiple shades of red. Other signs include impaired chewing, swallowing or speaking abilities, tongue pain or tenderness.
"A white coating on your tongue, along with occasionally inflamed taste buds, often suggests B vitamin deficiency," said Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, fibromyalgia expert, and creator of Vitality101.com.
The observers classed people as having absent, mild, moderate, or severe pallor (paleness). No one whose tongue was judged to be a healthy colour had a blood test showing severe anaemia. But about half of people with very pale tongues (severe pallor) had severe anaemia.
Pernicious anemia causes the tongue's surface to look smooth and appear red instead of the pinkish color of a normal tongue. The tongue might also appear thick or beefy in texture. Some tongues might even be swollen or seem to have cracks.
The primary symptom related to pernicious anemia and your oral health is typically a red, smooth-looking tongue. This is often referred to as glossitis by medical professionals. In some cases, it can be painful or uncomfortable.
A white tongue is usually caused by a buildup of bacteria and dead cells on the surface of the tongue. Good oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular dental checkups will keep your tongue healthy. Sometimes a white tongue can be a sign of an underlying health problem or a medication side effect.
For the most part, your tongue can look white for benign reasons (maybe you're dehydrated or skipped a few brushings), but thicker white patches can also be a sign of infection or, in rare cases, mouth or oral cancer.
White tongue is generally harmless, and may be helped by gently brushing your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper and drinking plenty of water. Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if: You're concerned about changes in your tongue.
And because anemia affects the whole body, your oral health isn't immune. It's not just a matter of pale gums. Iron deficiencies can cause: Sores and ulcers in the mouth.
To help diagnose iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor will order a blood test to check your complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin levels, blood iron levels, and ferritin levels.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.
Iron deficiency can affect the surface of your tongue making it feel sore for no apparent reason. Likewise, you may have an uncomfortably dry mouth even if you have been drinking plenty of liquids.
You may also find that low iron causes weight gain. There are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, your energy levels are low and so your exercise levels reduce; secondly, iron is essential for thyroid function, and an underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain.
This can be caused by an imbalance of good bacteria in the gut, nutritional deficiencies and stress. Whether or not your white tongue is a sign of a serious health concern, it's pointing out that something isn't right.
When you have a white tongue, then you probably have an overburdened digestive system. An overworked system results in slow digestion and improper function. This leads to a buildup of a bacteria or yeast called candida, and all of this shows on your tongue.
Without it, leftovers remain on the tongue's surface causing the tongue to look white.” An imbalanced diet can increase this discoloration. Foods high in refined sugars including candy, soda and sweetened coffee drinks alter the mouth's acidity. Rizzo recommends staying hydrated.
A pink tongue is healthy and normal. A red tongue may indicate heat in the body like a fever or a hormonal imbalance. A reddish purple tongue is a sign that there may be inflammation or an infection in the body. A pale pink tongue may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, a weak immune system or a lack of energy.
Healthy tongue color is pink, though the specific shades may range from light to dark. A healthy, normal-colored tongue also has small bumps all over its surface. These are papillae. They help you speak, taste, chew and swallow.
The type of headache a person experiences as a result of iron-deficiency anemia can vary. Some people will experience a dull aching sensation throughout their head. They may also feel lightheaded or dizzy. A migraine episode will feel different.
Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.
What do fingernails look like with anemia? If a person has anemia, their nails may be pale or spoon-shaped.