Tongue Diseases

Tongue Disease

The tongue is a muscle, and is used to move food to aid in the process of chewing and swallowing. It has taste buds that allow us to taste what we are eating. It can also signal a health problem. A healthy tongue has a slightly pink or reddish hue and a slightly bumpy surface, while a diseased tongue can be coated, discolored or painful.

Glossitis

• Glossitis is a condition where the tongue is swollen and changes color. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, glossitis is caused by bacteria or viral infections, exposure to irritants and allergic reactions to certain oral hygiene products such as tooth paste and mouthwash. It can also be inherited. One benign case of glossitis is the geographic tongue, which causes a map-like appearance of the tongue. Symptoms include tongue discomfort, soreness or burning sensation and different sized bright red patches on the tongue's surface,

Macroglossia

• Macroglossia is normally caused by the increase of tissue on the tongue, according to Drexel University College of Medicine. This condition is a common feature in congenital disorders such as Down or Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Macroglossia can also be acquired by trauma or tumors. Symptoms include high-pitched breathing, snoring, eating problems and tongue protrusion.

Fissured Tongue

• According to netwellness.org, a fissured tongue, which is the appearance of cracks or deep grooves on the surface of the tongue, is pretty common and may be classified as just a tongue variation by some medical officials. But for some people, a fissured tongue can be a sign of infection or malnutrition.

Hairy Tongue

• A hairy tongue is due to a collection of keratin on top of the tongue, which gives the tongue a furry or hairy appearance. There are several causes for hairy tongue. For instance, a black hairy tongue can be due to antibiotic usage such as penicillin, bad oral hygiene or smoking. It can also cause foul breath and a burning sensation. To reduce hairy tongue, the Mayo Clinic suggests practicing better oral care, quitting smoking and eliminating the use of bismuth-based medications.

Leukoplakia

• Leukoplakia is when a white or gray patch appears on the tongue. It can also appear inside the cheek or on the mouth floor. This condition can be caused by oral irritation such as crowns or fillings, excessive tobacco use, and on rare occasions oral cancer. There's also a rare form of leukoplakia, called hairy leukoplakia, where furry, white patches appear on the tongue. This is often caused by an improperly functioning immune system and is usually seen in HIV- or AIDS-related cases. You can get rid of leukoplakia by eliminating the source of irritation, cutting down or cutting out the use of tobacco products and using an antiviral medication.