Dentists are qualified to assess the health of a tongue during a routine oral exam. The tongue, a muscular organ located in the oral cavity, provides crucial information about a patient's overall health and can indicate potential underlying medical conditions.
A dentist's examination of the tongue involves visually inspecting its size, shape, color, and texture. Abnormalities in any of these aspects may suggest specific health concerns. For instance, a swollen tongue could be a sign of an allergic reaction or infection, while a coated tongue may indicate dehydration or digestive issues. Dentists are also trained to identify lesions or sores on the tongue, which can be indicative of more severe conditions such as oral cancer.