Yes! They can also be very important as indicators of your health. When was the last time you had a look at your tongue? Do you find that your lips are cracking more than usual? Checking your mouth can be very important as part of developing a picture of your health.
Tongues come in all shapes and sizes, but there are a few things you can easily see that should cause you to have a think about what is going on with your body.
White tongue – depending upon how it appears and where the coating is, fungal infection or your gut health may be an issue – this can look like someone smeared your tongue with cream cheese. Or it can indicate that you just licked icecream. Or ate cheesecake!
Heavily cracked tongue – this also depends on where the cracking is and how deep. It can be an indicator of mineral deficiencies, stress on an organ, or even a possible issue with your immune system or gut.
Pale tongue or very smooth – this can indicate an issue with an anaemia (yes, there is more than one type – not just iron deficiency). It is actually not normal to not have any texture to your tongue.
Now to lips – if you notice swelling after a certain food you may have a sensitivity or allergy. Avoid that food and if the swelling is severe, please see a Dr as this can be a medical emergency, particularly if the mouth is surrounded by a red ring.
Cracking around lips – this can be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. This may be more noticeable when you have been ill, lack of dietary fatty acids, or under excessive stress. It can also indicate an issue with blood glucose, so this is not a physical sign to be dismissed as merely cosmetic.
If I achieve nothing else today, I hope you take two minutes to have a look at your tongue!