Experts suggest a quick tongue test can reveal a lot about what’s going on inside and may even indicate when it’s time to book an appointment with your GP
It’s easy to overlook your tongue. But experts recommend giving it a quick once-over every day to keep on top of your wellbeing.
Dr Anis Khalaf, an expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, recently took to TikTok to shed light on this simple task, detailing a few essential elements to look out for. “Did you know that your tongue can tell you a lot about what’s going on inside of your body? Everyone should check their tongue on a daily basis,” he shared on his @acupuncturefit platform.
“There are three things that you should look for. Number one is your tongue size, it can be either large or lean, or normal. Number two is a tongue coating, it can be yellow or white, thick or thin[…] Number three is the tongue colour it could be purple, pale or red.”
In a separate video, he further explained: “For instance, if you have blood stagnation, your tongue might have a purplish hue with dark spots. Someone with too much heat might have a red tip tongue with a thin yellow coating in the middle.”
In a previous conversation with the Mirror, Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a retired GP at Help & Advice, pinpointed several other potential tongue signs that could suggest something is wrong internally. At the time, he said: “I’ve seen that certain signs on the tongue can indeed suggest underlying health issues.
“For instance, a very red tongue can sometimes indicate a fever or an inflammatory condition, while a tongue with a thick white coating might suggest a fungal infection like oral thrush. Also, a smooth, glossy tongue could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, particularly vitamin B12 or iron.
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“From what I’ve observed, another key indicator is the presence of sores or ulcers on the tongue, which can sometimes be symptomatic of more serious conditions such as oral cancer or underlying systemic diseases.”
Dr Cunningham outlined that a healthy tongue should be pink with a thin white coating. Although a slight roughness is normal, its surface should be fairly moist without any cracks, sores, or ‘unusual discolourations’.
However, quick tongue examinations shouldn’t be relied upon to completely diagnose an issue. Further tests should be conducted to verify the root cause of whatever abnormal tongue coating or texture you’re experiencing.
“While modern medicine acknowledges that certain conditions might show symptoms on the tongue, such as deficiencies or infections, I don’t think you should consider tongue examination alone to be a comprehensive diagnostic method,” Dr Cunningham stressed.
“I’d say that it is important to pay attention to any persistent changes in the tongue’s appearance, as these can sometimes be early indicators of more serious conditions. For example, persistent redness, pain, or changes in texture should not be ignored.
“Regular dental check-ups can also help catch any issues early, as dentists are trained to look for signs of oral health problems, including those that might manifest on the tongue.”
