Robert D. Follweiler D.D.S.,P.A. Periodontology and Laser
Technology
Creating and Maintaining Foundations of Oral Health
Please visit our web site
www.Follweilerperio.com
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Take a look
in the mirror and notice your tongue. Most of us don’t give our tongue a second
thought unless we bite the side of it or burn it with hot food or drink. The
tongue is an undulating muscle covered with 10,000 taste buds that recognize
sweet, salty and bitter sensations. Taste buds are collections of nerve like cells
that connect to nerves running into the brain. The tongue is vital for chewing
and swallowing food as well as speech.
A healthy
tongue is pinkish and sits comfortably in your mouth. Sometimes however the
tongue changes in appearance or size possibly indicating a mild or more serious
health concern.
Changes in
the color of the tongue may be due to irritation, or a condition called
glossitis or geographic tongue. The tongue may also turn dark brown or black
and these conditions usually can be corrected with antibiotics and
anti-inflammatory medications.
Pain in the tongue may occur with glossitis and geographic
tongue. Tongue pain may also occur with diabetic neuropathy, mouth ulcers and
oral cancer. Anemia,
neuralgia, oral herpes and dentures that are ill
fitting sometimes cause tongue discomfort.
Tongue
swelling may be due to several things and the most common is an allergic
reaction to a food or medication. Tongue swelling also occurs with pituitary
gland problems, cancer of the tongue, Down Syndrome, leukemia, hypothyroidism,
anemia, strep infections and other serious health conditions.
After
menopause, some women have a sudden feeling that their tongue has been burned.
This is called burning tongue syndrome or idiopathic glossopyrosis. There is no
specific treatment for burning tongue syndrome, but capsaicin (the ingredient
that makes peppers spicy) can offer relief to some patients
If
noticeable changes occur with your tongue stop using all mouth washes,
whitening toothpastes and bleaching products. If the problem persists see your
dental professional ASAP.
