Your mouth can often be an indicator of what is happening in the rest of your body, and vitamin deficiencies are no exception. The human body is not able to make its own vitamins so you must obtain them from external sources to allow your body to function normally. When you do not get enough vitamins or when your body cannot metabolize them properly, signs of vitamin deficiencies oftentimes show up on the tongue.
Change in Appearance
Vitamin deficiencies can result in the breakdown of tissues in the mouth, including those of the tongue. This can cause the tongue to have a smooth, shiny appearance. Glossitis, commonly known as inflammation of the tongue, is characterized by a tongue that is sore, swollen, smooth and scarlet-red/deep purple in color. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have a vitamin deficiency.
Change in Sensation
In addition to a change in appearance of the tongue, you may also experience a change in the tongue's sensation. Certain vitamin deficiencies can cause what is known as "burning mouth syndrome," which can include the tongue. Symptoms of burning mouth include a chronic, tingling or burning sensation, soreness, pain, taste changes, or loss of taste. The location and pattern of pain varies for each individual, but certain foods or drinks may aggravate the burning sensation. If you are experiencing these symptoms, see your health care provider as soon as possible.
The Culprits
Although deficiencies in other vitamins also have oral symptoms, deficiencies from many in the vitamin B family often result in symptoms expressed on the tongue. These culprits include thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, biotin, folate and Vitamin B-12. Although many of the symptoms overlap and may resemble one another, each vitamin serves its own unique purpose in your body. Therefore, work closely with your health care provider to eliminate the deficiency and restore your body back to health.
Other Common Deficiencies
Vitamin deficiencies are not the only conditions that have symptoms expressed on the tongue. Other deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, have symptoms that show up on the tongue and look very similar to the appearance resulting from a vitamin deficiency. Working with your health care provider to determine the underlying cause of the tongue symptoms is crucial to properly alleviating the condition.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Burning Mouth Syndrome
- "Diet and Nutrition in Oral Health"; Carole Palmer; 2002
- "Nutrition and Oral Medicine"; Riva Touger-Decker; 2004
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