Blue Tongue

Tongue Color Changes Can Indicate Underlying Health Issues

What Tongue Colors Mean

The color of your tongue can provide clues about your health.

Healthy Tongue

A healthy tongue should be pink in color.

Unhealthy Tongues

• White tongue: dehydration, poor oral hygiene, thrush, or smoking
• Yellow tongue: jaundice, liver problems, smoking, or poor nutrition
• Orange tongue: dehydration, thyroid issues
• Red tongue: vitamin B12 deficiency, scarlet fever, or Kawasaki disease
• Black tongue: poor oral hygiene, smoking, or certain medications
• Purple tongue: circulatory problems, heart disease, or certain medications
• Gray tongue: serious infections, heavy metal poisoning, or Addison's disease
• Green tongue: certain infections (e.g., yeast infection)
• Blue tongue: lack of oxygen in blood, lung problems, or kidney disease

Causes of Blue Tongue

• Lung problems (e.g., emphysema)
• Kidney failure
• Certain medications

When to See a Doctor

Call your doctor if your tongue turns blue or another unusual color. This can be a sign of a serious underlying health condition.

References

1. WebMD: Slideshow: Common Tongue Problems
2. Healthline: What Does the Color of Your Tongue Say About Your Health?
3. Mayo Clinic: Tongue Discoloration