3 Common Tongue Issues
Posted on 9/11/2023 by Dr. Alexandra Hernandez |
 The tongue is critical in your everyday activities. It consists of taste buds that allow you to enjoy your favorite foods. It also warns you when something is too hot or cold. Not forgetting its muscular structure that allows you to speak and chew. Unfortunately, factors such as infections, hormonal changes, genetics, and poor oral hygiene can cause tongue issues. When your tongue has problems, you will likely experience signs like pain, tongue swelling, change in taste, and inability to speak. For this reason, it is vital to understand common tongue issues so you can act quickly before they become severe. Here they are:
Black Hairy Tongue
A black hairy tongue isn't something attractive. While it may not cause pain, it can lower your confidence. In most cases, a black hairy tongue occurs due to too much yeast or bacteria growth. It can also result from the accumulation of dead skin cells on the tongue, making the papillae become longer than usual. When there is no stimulation on top of the tongue, the papillae continues to grow and appear hair-like.
A hairy tongue can trap bacteria and food debris, creating a black discoloration on your tongue. Luckily, some practices such as daily brushing or using a tongue scraper can help to treat the black hairy tongue. A dentist can also prescribe an antiseptic mouth rinse or medication to treat this oral issue. In severe cases, you may need to consider laser surgery to improve your oral health.
White Tongue
The most common cause of white tongue is poor oral hygiene. When you ignore tongue scraping or brushing daily, food particles and bacteria will get lodged between the enlarged papillae, making your tongue change color. Other common causes of a white tongue are oral thrush and leukoplakia.
Tongue Pain
Tongue pain is a common oral issue in adults and children. It mainly occurs due to injury, trauma, canker sores, oral cancer, and certain medications. Do you experience pain, discomfort, swelling, or a change in the color of your tongue? Visit our office, and our oral surgeons will suggest a personalized treatment option.
|
|
