Why Is My Tongue Green?

A green tongue is not normal. As a result, people have cause to be concerned if they notice that their tongue has turned green. Unfortunately, they have no way of knowing for sure what is going, which is why they should see a doctor.

Should You Be Concerned?

Under normal circumstances, a healthy tongue is supposed to be either a reddish or a pinkish color with a smooth texture. If people notice that their tongue has either a strange color or a strange texture, chances are good that something has gone wrong. Unfortunately, a green tongue can indicate something quite serious.

What Are Some Potential Causes of a Green Tongue?

One potential cause is geographic tongue, which causes a map-like pattern to appear on the surface of the tongue. It is unpleasant, but for the most part, it isn't a huge cause for concern. In contrast, the tongue turning green because of the growth of either bacteria or fungi or some other microorganism is a good cause for concern. This is particularly true because this can sometimes happen because of oral cancer.

Why Should You See a Doctor?

Unless people know for sure that they have a green tongue because they have been eating something with green food coloring, they should see a doctor about their condition. They have no way of knowing what is going on, meaning that they have no way of helping themselves. A doctor can give them a diagnosis, which will enable them to take effective action against the cause of the problem.