Tongue Disorders

Hairiness --> An overgrowth of the normal projections on the top of the tongue (villi) can give it a hairy appearance. The tongue may also appear hairy after a fever, after antibiotic treatment, or when peroxide mouthwash is used too often. These "hairs" on the top of the tongue should not be confused with hairy leukoplakia. Hairy leukoplakia forms on the side of the tongue and is characteristic of AIDS
Discoloration -->The tongue's villi may become discolored if a person smokes or chews tobacco, eats certain foods, or has colored bacteria growing on the tongue.Iron deficiency anemia may make the tongue look pale and smooth.The first sign of scarlet fever may be a change from the tongue's normal color to a strawberry, and then raspberry, color. A strawberry-red tongue in a young child may also be a sign of Kawasaki disease. A smooth red tongue and painful mouth may indicate pellagra, a type of malnutrition caused by a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3) in the diet. A red tongue may also be inflamed (glossitis)—the tongue is red, painful, and swollen.Whitish patches, similar to those sometimes found inside the cheeks, may accompany fever, dehydration, the second stage of syphilis, thrush, lichen planus, leukoplakia, or mouth breathing.
Sores and bumps -->Sores on the tongue can be caused by allergic reactions, oral herpes simplex virus infection, canker sores, tuberculosis, bacterial infections, or early-stage syphilis. Sores can also be caused by allergies or other immune system disorders. A bump on only one side may be cancerous.Cancer almost never appears on the top of the tongue, except when the cancer occurs after untreated syphilis.
Discomfort --> Tongue discomfort can result from irritation by certain foods, especially acidic onesor by certain ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, or gum.