What are tongue diseases?
The tongue is a muscle, a mobile organ located inside the mouth that performs important functions such as hydrating the mouth and food through salivation, swallowing, language and the sense of taste.
It is an osteofibrous structure covered with a mucosa that facilitates, among others, the swallowing process. It is a sensory organ, and being so, the function of it is to taste the different foods.
The different taste buds, located on the upper side of the tongue, are responsible for sending taste information to the brain. The tongue directs the food into the oral cavity during chewing and thus facilitates the crushing of food.
This is thanks to the fact that it is a very mobile organ, allowing suction, as well as the articulation of the different phonemes and therefore allowing us to pronounce ourselves properly.
However, diseases of the tongue are all those pathologies that affect its normal functioning, and which can be caused by intrinsic or extrinsic causes.
Causes of tongue diseases
Discomfort in this important organ of the digestive system has various origins, let’s remember that cell damage is more accentuated as we age. Here we mention the most common:
infections
They are those pathologies caused by the existence of fungi, microorganisms and/or bacteria in the oral cavity, specifically, on the surface of the tongue and that alter its lining. Infections can be transmitted or acquired with a simple kiss.
Among these infections are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as syphilis or HPV, which manifests itself through ulcers and papules on the tongue. As revealed in an article on“Oral manifestations of sexually transmitted diseases identified in three dental services in South America.”
irritations
When the tongue is suffering from some pathology, one of its manifestations can be irritation, expressing itself in an inflammatory process or a painful reaction in the lining of the tongue, mainly caused by some type of allergy to chemical agents or other stimuli.
Another type of irritation in the tongue is called “Burning Mouth Syndrome” which is defined as a burning or burning sensation in the tongue or in the oral mucosa.
Injuries
Injuries to the tongue can be of traumatic origin. They are the easiest to identify, since they are caused by a blow, bite or external agent.
Another type of injury are ulcers on the tongue, usually called sores, and may be directly related to digestive diseases. ToStudy reveals that many of the lesions of the tongue are related to various digestive diseases.
genetics
Genetics is another cause that generates pathologies in the tongue. Many of these defects are already loaded in the genetic information of the father or the mother or may arise from a deficiency of some nutrient during pregnancy, such as folic acid deficiency.
In the article “Congenital and acquired malformations of the oral cavity and pharynx. Cleft lip and palate” , tongue malformations due to genetic causes are described.
Symptoms of diseases of the tongue
The appearance of these main symptoms may be related to one or several pathologies, but the important thing is to know that in these cases, something is happening in that muscle. Here are some of them:
Pain
It is a signal from The Nervous Systemthat something is wrong with the tongue. It consists of an unpleasant sensation, of a pricking, burning sting or discomfort. This can be sharp, intermittent, or constant. It can occur alone or through local pressure.
Inflammation
Swelling of the tongue can occur due to an allergic reaction or side effect of a medication. It can also occur when the tongue is inflamed byGlossitistag. In this disease, the papillae disappear, making the tongue appear smooth.
Ulcers
Sores are small, shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth, especially on the tongue, and often make eating and talking uncomfortable. The exact cause of the origin of this pathology is unknown.
Stress or traumatic injury is believed to be the most common cause of simple ulcers on the tongue.
Color and texture change
The papillae of the tongue can change color if the person smokes, chews tobacco or eats certain foods or vitamins, or their deficiency in good oral hygiene habits, cause the proliferation of certain bacteria, which color the surface of the tongue. language.
Stains
Stains on the surface of the tongue may indicate that various pathological states are occurring in that area. Some can be whitish, others yellowish, some with reddish spots and even black. Everything will depend on the pathology of origin.
inability to move
These cases may be caused by damage at the neurological level, causing speech disorders, such as apaxia or dysarthria .
taste disturbance
Taste disturbance can present in persistent bad taste in the mouth. This can be salty, rancid or metallic. It can also occur due to a sensation of pain and burning in the mouth, reduced taste ability and in the most severe cases the person completely loses the sensation of taste.
Main diseases of the tongue
The suffering of these main diseases is one of the most uncomfortable situations that the human being can suffer. Here are the most common:
Oral thrush
Caused by the fungus called Candida albicans, and develops when the immune defenses are down and the immune system cannot prevent it from spreading. Among its most characteristic symptoms is the appearance of velvety, whitish spots. It also causes the sensation of dry mouth in those who suffer from it.
Oral lichen planus
A pruritic rash appears, producing some itching. Oral lichen planus is related to some allergic reactions, although its origin is not very clear. The use of certain medications or hepatitis C could increase the risk of suffering from it.
Macroglossia
This pathology is characterized in that the tongue is larger than normal, generally due to an increase in the amount of tissue and not due to an external growth as in the case of a tumor.
Leukoplakia
Whitish spots or plaques appear on the surface of the tongue. Smoking and alcohol are some of the causes of this condition, along with a deficient diet and poor oral hygiene.
There is a type of leukoplakia called hairy leukoplakia, it is an oral marker of HIV infection, and in some cases, when the lesions are very extensive, those affected request treatment.
Geographical language
Or also called migratory glossitis, it is a pathology that appears when some taste buds disappear from the tongue surface, and this becomes smooth in some areas.
The exact reasons for its development are still unknown, but it is customary to link it with a deficiency of the vitamin B complex, as well as the consumption of alcohol and excessively hot or spicy foods.
Ankyloglosis
In this case, an unusually short, thick, or dense band of tissue (lingual frenulum) attaches the bottom of the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, interfering with breastfeeding (prevents sucking). A person with an anchored tongue could have difficulty sticking out the tongue or having a correct movement of it.
cracked tongue
Despite having an unattractive appearance, it is not serious by itself nor is it contagious. Also known as fissured or scrotal tongue, it is an anomaly that is usually painless and does not greatly affect the daily life of the person who suffers from it.
Hairy Black Tongue
It is caused by an overgrowth of dead skin cells, causing the papillae to elongate and stains from bacteria, yeast, food, tobacco, or other substances on the tongue.
Tongue cancer
It is a disease that occurs when there is an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in the tongue. These cells are known as cancer or malignant cells.
It manifests itself in the form of an ulcer or sore that does not heal after two weeks, or also as a nonspecific red or white spot. It may cause a sore or a prolonged feeling of numbness.
Treatment for diseases of the tongue
There are various recommendations to avoid the presence of various diseases in the tongue, some are controllable by ourselves, and we will talk about them below:
Medications prescribed by a specialist
Therapeutic intervention with drugs is indicated in some pathologies of this muscle, whose prescription must be made by a specialist doctor.
Adequate and constant oral hygiene
Proper oral hygiene is the most recommended and least expensive practice for the individual. A correct and periodic brushing, the use of various mouthwashes and dental floss, avoid the accumulation of food remains that favor the cultivation of microorganisms and bacteria that cause tongue pathologies.
Vitamin intake
The consumption of vitamins is recommended , especially those of the B complex, specifically vitamin B 12.
An article on “Vitamins and their use in stomatology” that the manifestations of B complex deficiency in the mouth are fundamentally shown in the soft oral tissues such as the tongue.
Eliminate cigarette
Among the main problems with cigarettes is that it delays wound repair, increases keratinization, can increase pigmentation, promotes chronic systemic inflammation and, most negatively, increases the risk of oral mucosa cancer. For these consequences and others, smoking must be eliminated.
Moderate the consumption of alcohol and coffee
Excess consumption of alcohol and nicotine can cause severe injuries to the tongue, beginning with irritation, redness, swelling, and the formation of sores.
That is why it is recommended to moderate the consumption of both drinks to avoid the development of lingual conditions, which may be mild at first but worsen over time if not treated in time.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.