A healthy tongue is typically light to dark pink in color and features small bumps called papillae across its surface. The shade of pink can vary slightly among individuals. A healthy tongue also possesses a rounded and symmetrical shape.
What a Healthy Tongue Looks Like:
- Color: Pink, ranging from light to dark pink. Variations are normal and depend on individual factors.
- Surface: Covered in small, painless bumps (papillae). A smooth, glossy red tongue may indicate nutritional deficiencies (e.g., lack of iron or folic acid).
- Shape: Rounded and symmetrical. Deviations may suggest underlying conditions.
Signs of an Unhealthy Tongue:
Discoloration (white, yellow, orange, red, black, purple, gray, green, or blue), unusual texture changes, or pain are indicators that a tongue might not be healthy and warrant medical attention. These symptoms could be associated with various underlying health issues.
The references support the idea that a healthy tongue presents as pink, with variations in shade considered normal. Any significant deviation from this should prompt a consultation with a healthcare professional.
