Understanding Caviar Tongue: A Harmless Oral Condition

Caviar tongue might look concerning when you first notice it — dark, swollen veins under the tongue can be quite startling. But the good news is that this condition is usually harmless and not contagious. You can safely share food, kiss, or drink after someone without worrying about spreading it. Caviar tongue refers to a natural, age-related change in the connective tissues and muscle fibers of the sublingual veins (the veins under the tongue). This makes the veins appear dark purple or bluish and more prominent, giving them a beaded look similar to black caviar, which is where the name comes from. It’s also medically known as sublingual varicosities or sublingual varices . What Causes Caviar Tongue? The primary reason behind caviar tongue is senile elastotic degeneration , which simply means the gradual weakening and loss of elasticity in the vein walls that happens with age. This is why caviar tongue is most commonly seen in people over the age of 60 and is rare in younger indi...