scarlet fever

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue

Have you ever wondered why doctors and dentists ask you to open wide and say, "Ahhhh?" It's true that dentists are looking for cavities and tooth-related problems, but the tongue and other soft tissues can also be an important indicator of a patient's overall health. Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, scarlet fever, and different vitamin deficiencies can all manifest symptoms via the tongue. Patients can also do their part by [...]

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue2019-12-10T08:00:47-08:00

Tongue Tales

Traditionally, doctors and dentists have depended on the tongue to help them diagnose various diseases. And tongues do have a lot to say. For example, scarlet fever is accompanied by a spotted "strawberry" tongue. Burning tongue, a very painful condition, affects primarily post-menopausal women and can reflect systemic problems. Hairy leukoplakia is a common AIDS-related oral lesion. And candidiasis, a fungus infection which coats the tongue white, also says something [...]

Tongue Tales2016-11-01T00:00:23-07:00
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