My advice : Stop looking at your tongue.

 

Q: A question I’m frequently asked is “Does my tongue look strange to you?” or “Is this a growth?”

A: I routinely see patients who are deeply concerned that their unusual-looking tongue continues to look … well … unusual despite being treated with all sorts of medications, prescription mouth rinses, and antifungal treatments. The most likely reason it isn’t changing is because there is nothing actually wrong with it!  The best treatment is to ignore it. I’m serious. Tongues are weird! They are so strange and the only reason they don’t gross me out anymore is because I’ve been looking at them up-close (tens of thousands of them) for over two decades.

My wife on the other hand almost couldn’t stop gagging just trying to find a picture to go with this post.

There’s good news for you and your weird tongue, though.

If you’re not a smoker, most tongue lesions are benign (in other words, NOT cancer).

If it isn’t hurting and you can swallow and talk without any issues, just get it checked out by your regular doctor or dentist. Hopefully you’re seeing each 1-2 times a year anyway. Your dentist should be doing an oral cancer screening and they can refer you to me if they have any concerns. But if collectively your medical providers aren’t concerned, then rest easy. Lots of people have weird looking tongues. No biggie.

 
 
 

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Throat, Daily LifeErin Shellenbergerthroat, tongue, Mouth