Introduction:
The geographic tongue is a condition that is known to affect the different aspects of the tongue. It can cause various discomforts to the patient. Before understanding the geographic tongue, one has to gain basic knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the tongue. In this way, it will be easy to know how the tongue gets affected by the condition of the geographic tongue.
What Is the Tongue and What Does It Do?
The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth that helps humans chew, communicate, and breathe. The tongue is a digestive organ that pushes food around inside the mouth to aid in chewing and swallowing. It also assists individuals in producing varied sounds so that they can speak and create words clearly. The tongue also aids in keeping the airway open in order that individuals can breathe properly. The tongue is a very sensitive and rich supply of blood vessels and nerves. It helps in the natural cleansing process of the teeth. Above all, various taste receptors and taste buds are present in the tongue, so they can experience a wide range of taste sensations.
What Is a Geographic Tongue?
Geographic tongue is a condition that produces white patches on the surface of the tongue. It might also cause small whitish or pinkish bumps. These bumps are mostly short and hair-like projections. It is not a very harmful condition, but inflammation might be seen, and this inflammation is often unpredictable. The geographic tongue produces lesions that resemble the map of different geographic regions. In some cases, these lesions are made up of psoriasiform patches. Some patients exhibit reddish patches on their tongues that are smooth and surrounded by whitish borders.
One of the characteristic features of the geographic tongue is the ability of the lesion to move from one place to another. This migration happens on the surface of the tongue only, and so it is also known as the migratory lesion. In other terms, geographic tongue is also referred to as benign migratory glossitis. From the name, one can understand that it is a non-cancerous lesion and it is not life-threatening. Glossitis refers to the inflammation of the tongue.
Some patients might fear the abnormal appearance of the geographic tongue, but it is not problematic unless it is associated with any other underlying medical condition. Geographic tongue can cause physical discomfort, so it is necessary to avoid aggravating food items.
What Are the Causes of the Geographic Tongue?
Medical evidence suggests a few reasons for the occurrence of geographic tongue. They are:
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Hormonal Disturbances: Women who consume oral contraceptive medication have severe alterations in hormonal balance. These alterations might result in the development of the geographic tongue.
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Psoriasis: Psoriasis patients have the possibility of getting a geographic tongue.
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Diabetes: Doctors have identified that diabetic patients have an increased occurrence of geographic tongue. This was particularly noted in type 1 diabetes.
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Vitamin Deficiency: A deficiency in the level of iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamins like B6 and B12 can cause a geographic tongue.
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Fissured Tongue: A strong correlation between the occurrence of the fissured tongue and geographic tongue was identified. Genetic mutations resulted in these conditions.
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Stress: Psychological stress can also cause these conditions.
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Eczema: Individuals who have eczema or any other type of allergies have a chance of getting a geographic tongue.
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Family History: Having a family member who is affected by this condition can increase the risk for geographic tongue.
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Oral Contraceptive Users: This includes women and people designated female at birth (AFAB).
Are There Any Foods That Cause Geographic Tongue?
Some doctors feel that foods that induce inflammation could be the source of this illness.
The following things can induce tongue irritation:
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Hot foods and beverages that can scald
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Foods that are spicy
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Alcohol
Keep in mind that these are simply hypotheses and will not affect the majority of the population. However, suppose individuals are already predisposed to this illness due to other reasons such as allergies or juvenile diabetes. In that case, it may be worthwhile to keep an eye out for certain foods and beverages.
What Are the Symptoms of the Geographic Tongue?
Most of the individuals affected by geographic tongue do not notice any symptoms. This disorder is only identifiable when it causes a noticeable lesion. The occurrence of symptoms might not be constant. The signs and symptoms of geographic tongue include,
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Reddish patches on the tongue. The patches on the surface of the tongue follow an irregular pattern of the map. They are usually surrounded by gray or white borders. It can appear on the tip of the tongue, side portion, or the top surface. The location, size, and shape might vary from time to time. The patches might also occur on the cheeks or on the top portion of the mouth. Some patients have patches that are present on the surface of the gums.
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Burning sensation. Individuals experience a burning or tingling sensation on the tongue. This is particularly noticeable when the person is eating or drinking water.
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Alteration in taste sensation. The condition of the geographic tongue can cause the destruction of the papillae. This might alter the normal taste sensation. Some patients also experience a metallic taste.
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Discomfort and pain.
Is Geographic Tongue a Contagious Condition?
Geographic tongue is not a contagious condition. It does not spread from one person to another. Some people fear that geographic tongues can get transmitted by oral sex. Only infectious diseases have the highest chance of spreading, and so involvement in oral sex or intimate activities does not cause the spreading of this condition.
Can Cancer Develop From the Geographic Tongue?
Cancer cannot develop from a geographical tongue. One does not need to be concerned about a geographic tongue evolving into something else because it is not a sign of a more severe condition. Because of their tongue's unique look, some people with geographic tongues may experience anxiety and fear, but the condition is not harmful.
How Is Geographic Tongue Diagnosed?
Geographic tongue is usually diagnosed by a dentist or physician based on a visual inspection of the tongue and the signs and symptoms. During the examination, the physician or dentist may:
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Examine the tongue and mouth with a light device.
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Request that one moves the tongue in various positions.
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Look for tenderness or unexpected changes in the texture or consistency of the tongue by gently touching (palpating) it.
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Look for infection-related symptoms like fever or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
What Are the Treatment Options for Geographic Tongue?
The treatment options for geographic tongue require general lifestyle changes, medications, and others.
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Lifestyle Changes: It is necessary to make a few changes in the lifestyle so that the geographic tongue can be cured soon. If spicy and hot foods increase the intensity of the condition, then it is necessary to completely avoid the condition. Some patients are affected by the usage of tobacco, and in such cases, it is also recommended to refrain from its usage. This can help in reducing the tingling sensation and pain. If stress is the cause of the geographic tongue, then the affected individual can choose to adapt to healthy practices like meditation and yoga. This can gradually reduce the condition of the geographic tongue.
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Medications: Medications are not necessary unless the patient experiences discomfort or pain. The physical symptoms can be overcome by the usage of the following medications.
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Topical analgesic. This can be applied directly to the surface of the tongue.
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Usage of mouthwashes that contain antihistamines. This helps to overcome allergic reactions.
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The medications would not be suitable for all individuals and would cause a few side effects. They are:
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Ulcer in the stomach.
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Headache.
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Heartburn.
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Stomach pain.
When Does One Need Medical Attention for Geographic Tongue?
The geographic tongue does not require medical attention. If one notices a visible red patch for a prolonged period of time, then it is better to consult a doctor or a dentist to rule out any other medical conditions.
Conclusion:
Geographic tongue is a noncancerous disorder that causes smooth, reddish areas of skin on the tongue. Geographic tongue is not contagious, which means it does not spread. Certain individuals develop geographic tongues without displaying any symptoms. When they do, individuals experience symptoms such as patches on their tongues and burning and tingling feelings, especially when they consume spicy or acidic foods. If there are changes in the tongue, consult a doctor so that they can discover what caused the alterations.
