You are experiencing some minor irritation in your mouth — which appears to be from your tongue area but you're not sure — you need to see a dentist. You move to the nearest mirror and there, you see different red patches on your tongue, surrounded by whitish lines. You are not sure if it is a medical emergency or if it will disappear on its own.
Yes, you may need to pay the dentist a visit to be sure you are not suffering from a serious condition; however, you need to slow down a bit. What you are dealing with is probably a harmless condition known as “benign migratory glossitis,” which is popularly known as geographic tongue.
Although it may look odd, geographic tongue is not a serious issue: it is not contagious or cancerous, and generally, it does not cause more complicated health conditions. However, this condition can increase your tongue’s sensitivity and may sometimes cause mild sensations of stinging, burning or numbness.
The presence of red patches on the tongue is due to the momentary loss of structures known as papillae, the small bumps covering the tongue’s surface. The patches may show up or disappear intermittently over several days or hours and may change in shape or position.
The issue is a result of several factors, but the precise cause is yet unknown. Some of the triggers of this condition include emotional stress, psychological upset, hormonal disorders and deficiencies of zinc and vitamin B. The condition, which occurs in one to three percent of humans, is common among non-smokers, women or people with family history of the condition. It has also been linked to people who suffer from psoriasis (a skin disorder) and those with a fissured tongue.
Sadly, geographic tongue has no cure, but fortunately, treatment is usually not required. The condition is benign, which means it is not cancerous and causes no harm to the patient’s health. While it may be impossible to make the condition disappear permanently, you should visit the dentist to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Once the medical professional confirms that the condition is actually migratory glossitis, it will be easier to treat the discomfort resulting from flareups.
If you are currently dealing with this issue, you can alleviate the pain by avoiding foods with high acid content (such as tomatoes and citrus fruits), including hot and spicy items. Astringent substances such as alcohol and certain mouthwashes can also aggravate the condition. Usually, the dentist will recommend anesthetic mouthwashes, steroid ointments or antihistamines if the pain becomes unbearable.
Although geographic tongue is not a serious disease, it could cause anxiety and pain. Therefore, you should book an appointment with the dental office for an evaluation, just to be sure. An in-depth examination can ease your fears and eliminate the chances of other conditions that can cause worries. The appearance may seem bizarre, but geographic tongue is not harmful. With adequate care, the condition is simply a minor irritation that will disappear soon enough.
Request an appointment here: https://www.kevinjdailydds.com or call Kevin J Daily DDS at (831) 580-1141 for an appointment in our Santa Cruz office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Don't let a child waste all his or her money on chewing gum without proper dental care. Visit our dental center today.At our dental center, your concerns and needs are at the forefront of our mind. We focus on providing quality dental care and can review the proper oral hygiene steps that you can take…
When you visit our dental office in Santa Cruz you are either coming in to see us for a regularly scheduled appointment that we use to offset any potential problems or you are probably coming in with a dental situation that requires our attention. With the advent of the internet, we have found that more…
By some parent's standards, children grow up being told that brushing their teeth and flossing are all they need to be healthy. Unbeknownst to the children, the bristles of a toothbrush are too large to reach between teeth or the in the grooves on top of teeth. Unfortunately, children will be unable to reach these…
We will identify and remove any signs of plaque or infection from your teeth at our dental office.Our dental office provides the treatment patients need, while in a comfortable atmosphere. We ensure our patients leave with healthy teeth and the knowledge to maintain the healthy teeth. Schedule an appointment today.Dental OfficeAt Kevin J Daily DDS…
The first thing that the dentist may do is discuss the patient’s treatment goals, which…
The most notable risk of dental implant restoration is implant failure. This refers to an…
Here are some tips for a smooth and quick recovery after your root canal.
Losing some of your teeth can affect your appearance and oral health.
A cosmetic dentist can help you achieve your dream smile through numerous treatments, all customized…
After tooth extraction, patients do not exactly need to be bedridden, but what they want…