After waking up in the morning, when we stand in front of the mirror and brush our teeth, we often pay full attention to cleaning our teeth, but completely ignore the health of our tongue. The normal color of the tongue is light pink, which is considered a sign of a healthy body. However, many times we see that a thick layer of yellow color starts accumulating on our tongue or its color starts appearing yellow. Most people ignore it considering it to be just a simple oral dirt or the effect of tea and coffee, but according to health experts, this carelessness can cost you dearly. Yellowing of the tongue is not only a result of lack of oral hygiene, but it can also be a major precursor of diabetes and serious diseases related to the digestive system developing within the body. The first reason is poor oral hygiene and accumulation of bacteria on the tongue. The primary and common reason for the tongue becoming yellow is ignoring oral hygiene. There are small bumps on the surface of our tongue which are called papillae. When we do not regularly clean our tongue with a tongue cleaner or brush, microscopic particles of food, dead cells and saliva start getting trapped in this surface. Gradually, harmful bacteria and fungus start growing here, which accumulate in the form of a yellow layer. Additionally, people who smoke a lot, consume tobacco or drink tea and coffee several times a day are more likely to develop yellowness due to pigmentation on their tongue. Due to dehydration i.e. lack of water in the body, the mouth becomes dry and the color of the tongue starts changing. What is the direct connection between diabetes and blood sugar and yellowness of tongue? Very few people are aware that the changing color of the tongue can give an accurate assessment of the insulin level and blood sugar level in your body. When a person has diabetes or is in pre-diabetic condition, the immunity of his body starts weakening. Along with this, due to high blood sugar, the production of saliva within the mouth reduces, which leads to 'Dry Mouth' i.e. dryness in the mouth. Due to lack of saliva, the natural bacteria in the mouth are not eliminated and the risk of oral thrush or yeast infection increases. Oral fungal infection is very common in diabetic patients, the initial symptom of which is a stubborn yellow or white layer on the tongue. This is also a symptom of digestive system disorders and liver related problems. Both Ayurveda and modern medical science agree that our tongue is the mirror of our stomach and digestive system. If your digestive system is not working properly, there is problem of constipation, acidity or indigestion, then its effect is first visible on your tongue. Apart from this, if there is any kind of malfunction in the liver or gall bladder or increase in the level of bilirubin, symptoms of jaundice also emerge in the body, due to which the color of the eyes and skin as well as the tongue also starts turning yellow. Therefore, if you are experiencing fatigue, nausea or stomach pain along with yellowing of the tongue, do not take it lightly at all. Adopt these important and easy measures to get rid of the yellowness of the tongue. If a yellow layer is forming on your tongue, then first of all make changes in your daily lifestyle and oral care routine. Along with brushing twice a day, do light cleaning of the tongue with a copper or steel tongue cleaner. Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water so that saliva can be produced properly in the mouth. If the yellowness of the tongue is not going away despite regular cleaning, then get your blood sugar checked (HbA1c test) immediately so that diabetes can be detected in time. Along with this, consult a good dentist or physician so that they can identify the exact cause and suggest you the right treatment and mouthwash.
