The tongue is not just a food tasting machine, it is a muscular organ that helps you speak, swallow, and even brush your teeth! But like any other part of your body, your tongue can be vulnerable to various conditions. Learn about some common tongue diseases, and what the colors or spots that may appear on the tongue may mean. (1)


1- Oral fungus

  • What is it? A fungal infection that causes white patches on the tongue, the insides of the cheeks, and any other part of the mouth.


  • More common: in infants, the elderly (especially denture wearers), in addition to diabetics, immunocompromised patients, and heavy antibiotic users.


  • Symptoms:

- White spots on the tongue and in the mouth.

- Red or inflamed spots in the mouth, flat or raised, that may cause pain or burning.

- Cracks in the corners of the mouth.

- Loss of sense of taste.

- Difficulty breastfeeding in infants.


  • Treatment: It usually requires treatment with antifungal medications, topical or in the form of oral pills. (2)


2- Geographic Tongue

  • What is it? An inflammatory but harmless condition that affects the tongue. It causes spotty red spots in a map-like pattern.


  • Reason: unknown. It is more likely among people with certain diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, type 1 diabetes, and some vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including zinc, iron, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12.


  • Symptoms: It may be asymptomatic. Smooth, irregular red spots often appear which usually appear in one area of​the tongue and then move to a different part of it. In addition to feeling pain or burning sometimes, it is often associated with eating spicy or acidic foods.


  • Treatment: It usually does not require any treatment, and pain or sensitivity can be relieved with painkillers, mouthwash, antihistamines, ointments or mouthwashes containing cortisone, and antifungals. (3)

 

3- Fissured Tongue

  • What is it? A normal condition that is usually harmless, and not contagious, causing deep            grooves on the surface of the tongue, which can be deep or shallow, multiple or single.


  • Causes: unknown, but it is more common in geriatrics, and also in men more than women.


  • Symptoms: There are no associated symptoms.


  • Treatment: There is no cure for fissured tongue, but symptoms can be alleviated by maintaining oral hygiene, using appropriate mouthwash, avoiding irritating foods and drinks, and quitting smoking. (4)


4- Black Hairy Tongue

  • What is it? A medical condition that causes the tongue to be dark in color and covered with black, fur-like hairs. Although this may seem alarming, it usually does not cause serious health problems.


  • Cause: It occurs when the papillae (small bumps on the tongue) become longer than usual, and dead skin cells, food, drinks, and bacteria accumulate on them. They are more common in cases of poor oral hygiene, smoking, using irritating mouthwash, dry mouth, following a soft diet that does not help scrub dead skin cells from the tongue, and drinking too much tea and coffee.


  • Symptoms: There are no specific symptoms; the person may suffer from an unpleasant taste and vomiting.


  • Treatment: It does not require treatment, but it can be improved through good oral hygiene and quitting bad habits such as smoking. (5)


5- Intermediate Atrophic Glossitis

  • What is it? A condition that makes the tongue smooth and soft, appearing due to erosion of the papillae: These are the small protrusions on the surface that contain taste buds.


  • Causes: some vitamins and minerals deficiency such as: iron and vitamin B12, acidic foods and drinks, some medications, and dehydration.


  • Symptoms: soft red tongue, pain or burning in the tongue, difficulty swallowing, and dry mouth.


  • Treatment: Treating the cause. (6)

 

6- Oral White Tumor (Leukoplakia)

  • What is it? It is often a non-cancerous condition, but it may turn into cancer in some cases. They appear as thick, hard white spots on the gums, cheeks, and sometimes on or below the tongue.


  • Cause: Unknown, but it has been noted that it is frequently associated with chronic irritation from tobacco use.


  • Symptoms: white or gray spots that cannot be removed by scraping, their surface is rough or grooved, wrinkled or smooth, or a combination of these characteristics, and may be accompanied by red spots.


  • Treatment: Eliminate the source of irritation (smoke or alcohol), and surgery if that does not work. (7)


7- Kawasaki Disease

  • What is it? A rare and serious inflammatory condition of the body that affects children, and is usually associated with infection.


  • More common: in children.


  • Symptoms: high fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, red cracked lips, swollen red tongue (strawberry tongue).


  • Treatment: This disease is usually treated in a hospital and may include aspirin and / or intravenous injection of immunoglobulin. (1)




Understanding common tongue conditions is key to maintaining your oral health and overall well-being. For any questions, feel free to reach out to our Dental Center —we’re here to help!




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