Fissured tongue occurs affects about 5% of persons in the United States, although the numbers vary widely across the globe. A fissured tongue can arise for no obvious reason, but some people may have an underlying problem that needs to be ruled out by their doctor or dentist.
What Is Fissured Tongue
Fissured Tongue is a condition where the surface of the tongue has deep grooves or fissures. The condition is benign and does not cause any symptoms. It is thought to be genetic, meaning it can run in families. People with fissured tongues often have a family member with the condition.
A person’s geographic language is another possibility. Geographic tongue occurs when sections of the tongue lose their papillae (tiny bumps on the tongue’s surface). The papillae are replaced by smooth, red spots with elevated borders when a person has a geographic tongue. The disorder is named by the fact that the tongue resembles a map.
Fissured tongue is more common in older persons, but it can affect anyone. Fissured tongue is also more common in men than in women.
Causes Fissured Tongue
Do you have a white, bumpy tongue? If so, you may have fissured tongue. This is a condition that causes the surface of your tongue to become cracked or divided into small shelves. While it is not usually a serious condition, it can be uncomfortable and lead to problems with speaking and eating.
The initial signs of a fissured tongue usually occur in childhood. However, as a person gets older, the disease usually gets worse.
Other conditions that may be linked to a fissured tongue include:
- Psoriasis pustular
- Down syndrome
- Orofacial granulomatosis of the tongue
- Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is an illness that affects both men and women
Treatment For Fissured Tongue
Treatment for a fissured tongue is usually unnecessary. It often has no symptoms, and a person may not be aware that they have it until a dentist detects it during a normal checkup.
Food or other debris becoming lodged in the grooves of a fissured tongue can cause complications. If this occurs, it may irritate the skin or allow bacteria to thrive. The bacteria that become trapped in the crevices can cause bad breath and tooth decay.
Candida albicans can infect quite deep grooves in extreme circumstances. Anyone who develops this issue will need to use topical antifungal medication to treat it.
The best way to avoid a fissured tongue is to maintain good dental hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly.
When To See A Doctor(Dentist)
A fissured tongue does not usually create any symptoms, thus a person should not visit the dentist for this reason. A person should not go to the dentist unless they are in pain.
Deviations from normal tongue papillae and other oral problems will be visible to your dentist and dental hygienist.
Routine visits to your dental professional can provide you with early detection of any oral health issues or anomalies.
Visiting the dentist twice a year for routine care is, however, an excellent idea. People should also visit their dentist if they experience persistent mouth pain or discomfort.
Conclusion
The presence of fissures in the tongue is not a major cause for concern. In rare circumstances, it might cause modest to moderate issues such as foul breath, dental decay, or mild infections.
The fissured occurs in toddlers, but it can become more obvious as the person grows older.
The majority of people do not experience any additional symptoms as a result of their fissured tongue.
The most common form of treatment is routine oral hygiene.
