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What Is Your Tongue Trying to Tell You?

Examining Teeth

It may not be often that you stick out your tongue at yourself in the mirror. However, there’s good reason to make this a habit periodically. Just like other parts of your body, your tongue can show changes in appearance that indicate an underlying health problem. If your tongue loses its smooth pink color and looks out of the ordinary, it may be time to do some investigating.

Here are some common reasons why your tongue may show unusual changes:

A Patchy Tongue

This may be a condition called “geographic tongue,” in which patches on the tongue surface become red and mimic the outline of a geography map. Geographic tongue is an inflammatory condition and typically harmless.

White or Yellow Tongue

If you notice a white, yellow or pale coating on your tongue, you may have microbial growth due to excessive bacterial plaque and not properly brushing your tongue. Excessive oral bacteria can lead to a variety of dental health problems, ranging from bad breath to gum disease, decay and more.

If you have additional white patches inside your mouth or throat, this may indicate a yeast infection, which needs to be treated by a medical provider.

If there are white patches on your tongue, please see your dentist promptly. These lesions could be leukoplakia, and your dentist may want to monitor you for signs of oral cancer.

Black and/or Hairy

No one wants a dark, hairy tongue. However, this is used to describe what happens when the papillae (the little bumps on your tongue surface) lengthen instead of shed their cells. The longer papillae can easily stain from foods, drinks and cigarettes, and thus look like “black hairs.” This is not a harmful tongue condition and is often temporary.

Bright Red and Swollen

It is common for your tongue to tell you which vitamins or nutrients your body needs. A bright red and puffy tongue can indicate a vitamin B deficiency. However, if you also have a fever, please see your physician promptly.

Do you have concerns about the appearance or health of your tongue? Contact Dr. Mitzi Morris. We recognize all parts of your mouth as vital to your dental health and overall health. Don’t dismiss what your tongue may be trying to tell you.

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I feel she hires only the best! One special mention: I suffer from panic attacks at times- along with claustrophobia. Dr. Morris is the first dentist I have ever had who helped calm my fears. Thus, my experience exceeded expectations! Great service!

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accommodating to your schedule.

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart from each other. They made me feel very comfortable the entire time and kept making sure I was pleased. Getting a deep cleaning went very smoothly. It was also brought to my attention that the way I was flossing was incorrect. And have since changed methods. I worked specifically with Dr. Morris. She was very nice, and took the time to explain things. Which is a huge plus for me. Dr. Morris and the staff members worked effortlessly together. I was comfortable enough to sit back and relax, strangely enough, while having cavities drilled and fillings put in. Billing and scheduling appointments, as well as follow up for confirmation of upcoming appointments was very easy. I will say my favorite part of the experience was how friendly of an environment the staff has created. That alone is deserving of a 5 star review, and the rest is honestly icing on the cake. I highly recommend this practice on all fronts and will continue using them!

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the office is new, comfortable and clean. Everyone seems to enjoy working there. I feel like I'm in good hands!

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offers it to her patients as she did with my last appointment.

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointment and procedures and is definitely a highly-educated and thorough dental hygenist -- SHE IS A ROCKSTAR. I'm so glad that Dr. Morris and her dental team have been my "go-to" for the last 5 years, and I wont be going anywhere else! Overall - A++ Dr. Morris...highly recommended to my family and friends!!!

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as dental technicians are fantastic; they do a professional and effective deep cleaning, but with a careful, gentle touch. It is clear to me that Dr. Morris reads her professional journals and upgrades her practice to stay very current with the latest best practices in dentistry. (I have had some dentists who stopped updating their practices after leaving dental school!) With Dr. Morris you can count on receiving the very latest dental technology. Her prices are very fair, and I have never been surprised by an unexpected cost or had problems with insurance not covering services rendered.

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

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Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Address

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

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