What Is Geographic Tongue?
What is this common dental condition?
Here at our family friendly dentist in NW8, we provide all the modern treatments you should expect from a popular surgery.
We deal with many complex dental issues and have the equipment and expertise to ensure a broad range of dental issues can be treated here. However, it isn’t all complicated dental issues on a day to day basis, in fact, a lot of what we do is standard dental care delivered with the usual attention and quality you would expect. For this reason, we wanted to give you some information on a common issue we often get presented with, that isn’t actually very well known. After all, the more informed you are, the better.
The condition is called geographic tongue and is named so because of the appearance which looks a little like a ‘map’. It occurs on the top and sides of the tongue most commonly, but can also appear in other parts of the mouth.
It is important to know that geographic tongue is completely harmless and benign. It isn’t contagious, isn’t linked in any way to cancer and is not an infection. It affects around 2% of the population and can appear at any age, regardless of the person’s oral hygiene, drinking or eating habits. However, it is most commonly seen in middle-aged people and in women more than men.
Signs You Have Geographic Tongue
You may have geographic tongue if you have smooth red patches of skin on the tongue. The patches will appear to be irregular in shape and may change over time. These patches often have a wiggly white line around them, may all look different, appear in one part of the mouth and then move to another part of the mouth. They can appear and then disappear and may also last up to a year. It is possible you might not even know you have it until a doctor or dentist sees it and confirms that you have it. This is likely if you haven’t experienced any pain or discomfort from the condition.
Around 1 in every 10 people will get some discomfort from geographic tongue, usually occurring during smoking, consuming spicy food and brushing the teeth.
Causes Of Geographic Tongue
Geographic tongue happens when we lose patches of the top skin of the tongue which is called the papillae. People with psoriasis and fissured tongues can have geographic tongue more frequently.
Getting Geographic Tongue Treated
Geographic tongue needs to be diagnosed by your local Abbey Road dentist or by a doctor to check it isn’t anything more serious.
If you are experiencing some pain with the condition you should expect it to lessen over time. Or over the counter pain relief, anti-inflammatory medication (prescription), anaesthetic mouth rinses or even some oral thrush medication can help. It is also worth avoiding spicy food or foods that aggravate the problem, stop smoking and avoiding toothpaste with lots of flavouring if possible.
Visit Us For More Information
If you think you might have geographic tongue, you want to talk to us about other oral issues, or you’re simply due a check up, please give us a call on 02076241603 and we will be more than happy to help you.