Have you ever looked at your tongue in the mirror and thought you were looking at a road map of Florida? Or maybe on another day it looked more like Pennsylvania. You may have a condition called geographic tongue. Do not be alarmed, though. This benign condition is not a threat to your health.
Here are some interesting facts about this disorder (also referred to as migratory glossitis or wandering rash of the tongue) that you should know.
Geographic Tongue: Causes and Symptoms
The exact cause of migratory glossitis is not known, the map-like appearance of the tongue is the result of inflammation. Normally, the tongue is covered with a layer of tiny bumps called papillae , but if for some reason any of these finger-like projections are lost, those areas of the tongue will be smooth and red with slightly raised borders. These affected areas can change in size and location daily, making the tongue look different each time you look at it.
Although geographic tongue can persist for weeks, the good news is that in most cases there is no discomfort and no treatment is necessary. For many people, it goes away but may return in the future.
Do I Need to See a Doctor for Geographic Tongue?
As per a study, about 5 percent of people with geographic tongue are bothered by pain or sensitivity, especially when eating spicy or acidic foods. If your tongue is painful, easily irritated by certain foods and drinks, or has become severely swollen (interfering with eating, speaking or swallowing) see your dentist for a diagnosis. Make an appointment with a dentist any time you have a lesion on your tongue that does not go away within 10 days in order to rule out anything serious.
Taking Care of Your Geographic Tongue
In painful situations, your doctor or dentist may recommend using anti-inflammatory drugs to help alleviate discomfort. For milder burningor sensitivity issues, avoiding hot spicy foods and alcohol until the episode passes may be all that is needed.
Fastidious oral hygiene is always recommended, but pay special attention to your oral health if you have geographic tongue. This means brushing your teeth and tongue twice a day. And don't forget to floss daily. You could also swish with a mouthwash which provides protection against germs even after drinking and eating.
Risk Factors of Geographic Tongue
The Journal of Oral Medicine India reports that migratory glossitis occurs mostly in elderly age group and in the males population, with males being more prone to it than females. It also affects younger adults more frequently vis a vis children. It seems to run in families, so there may be a genetic link. People with a fissured tongue, a condition where the tongue is deeply grooved and has a wrinkled appearance, may also have a higher risk of developing this migratory glossitis, as can those who have a vitamin B deficiency or have the inflammatory skin disease, psoriasis.
Even though there are certain disorders that often occur along with geographic tongue – hormonal disturbances, emotional stress, juvenile diabetes, allergies and Reiter's syndrome – there is no real proof that they play a role in causing it.
Geographic tongue cannot be prevented or cured. Always keep your mouth clean, stay away from irritating foods and appreciate how special you are to have such a unique but harmless condition that not many people have experienced!
