What can your tongue tell you about your health — and when should changes be assessed?

The tongue can reflect hydration status, nutritional deficiencies, infections, and systemic conditions. In this episode, we explain how doctors interpret tongue colour, texture, and coating during medical assessment in Europe.

You’ll learn:

• What a healthy tongue looks like: pink surface with small papillae

• White coating: possible oral thrush, dehydration, or poor oral hygiene

• Red or “strawberry” tongue: potential vitamin B12 deficiency, scarlet fever, or inflammation

• Pale tongue: possible iron deficiency anaemia

• Yellow or coated tongue: bacterial overgrowth or dry mouth

• Ulcers, cracks, or persistent patches that may require medical review

• Red flag signs: non-healing sores,  ...