Anemia Tongue and You

Do you have anemia?

If so, you may see the signs of it inside your mouth. One side effect of anemia is called anemia tongue. Symptoms include an inflamed or swelled tongue in changing shades of red, impaired chewing, swallowing or speaking abilities, and tongue pain or tenderness. You may also notice that your tongue is unusually smooth because of the loss of the little bumps on your tongue named papillae, which house your taste buds.

If you have already been diagnosed with anemia, it may be safe to say that you have anemia tongue, but there may be other reasons for it as well: an allergic reaction, an injury, herpes or dry mouth.

If your symptoms are extreme, such as severe pain or swelling, please go to the ER as soon as possible. Otherwise, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your dentist.

The first thing your dentist will do is examine your tongue to see if there are blisters, a lack of papillae, or inflammation. Your dentist may also ask that you provide us with blood and saliva samples for testing. You may be prescribed an antibiotic or be asked to make changes to your diet or upgrade your oral hygiene routine. Depending on your situation, your dentist may also suggest consulting with a general practitioner.

If you have anemia tongue and you live in the Virginia Beach area, don’t delay in phoning (757) 210-5994 to schedule an appointment at Shore Smiles. We’re here to help.