A fissured tongue is marked by a deep, prominent groove in the middle. There may also be small furrows or fissures across the surface, causing the tongue to have a wrinkled appearance.
There may be one or more fissures of varying sizes and depths. Fissured tongue occurs in approximately 5 percent of Americans. It may be evident at birth or develop during childhood.
However, it may sometimes occur in association with an underlying syndrome or condition, such as malnutrition or Down syndrome. A fissured tongue can make it appear as though the tongue were split in half lengthwise.
Sometimes there are multiple fissures as well. Your tongue may also appear cracked. The deep groove in the tongue is usually very visible. This makes it easy for your doctors and dentists to diagnose the condition. The middle section of the tongue is most often affected, but there may also be fissures on other areas of the tongue.
You may experience another harmless tongue abnormality along with a fissured tongue, known as geographic tongue. A normal tongue is covered with tiny, pinkish-white bumps called papillae. People with geographic tongue are missing papillae in different areas of the tongue.
The spots without papillae are smooth and red and often have slightly raised borders. Neither fissured tongue nor geographic tongue is a contagious or harmful condition, nor does either condition usually cause any symptoms. However, some people report some discomfort and increased sensitivity to certain substances. Fissured tongue may also be caused by a different underlying condition. Cracked tongue often causes no symptoms, though some people experience a burning sensation, especially when consuming acidic foods or drinks.
Fissured tongue causes a person to develop one or multiple grooves on their tongue. It is not usually a serious condition but can lead to some mild…. Geographic tongue is a harmless condition in which white patches appear on the surface of the tongue. Tongue bumps are common, and there are many possible causes, including injuries, allergies, and infections. Although tongue bumps can feel strange….
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Related Coverage. What to know about fissured tongue. May 13, January 14, BMC Oral Health. September 20, Journal of Tropical Medicine. June 17, Gastroenterology Research and Practice. Causes of Tongue Crack Tongue fissures are a bit of a mystery. Malnutrition A study conducted in links fissures to a deficiency in vitamin B Acid Reflux or General Indigestion Another causes can include side effects from a prescription medication and untreated acid reflux. Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome Another potential cause is Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome, which is a sporadic neurological disorder.
Pustular Psoriasis Pustular psoriasis is an inflammatory condition caused by an immune disorder. Poor Oral Hygiene, Other Causes Poor oral hygiene—not brushing and flossing your teeth and gargling daily, at a minimum—can cause tongues to develop cracks and even lesions.
The most obvious sign, of course, are the cracks themselves. Cracks can vary by: Number Size Direction horizontal, vertical or branching Depth A fissured tongue in most cases appears as though the tongue is split. A fissured tongue is neither harmful nor contagious. In some cases, there are no symptoms at all. But one symptom of the condition is an over-sensitivity when eating and drinking.
Treatments for Tongue Cracks No strict medical treatment is necessary for tongue cracks because they are rarely a health risk. Among the suggestions: Make sure to clean the top surface of your tongue meticulously using a toothbrush to remove food debris from the fissures.
Dentists often recommend electric toothbrushes for a consistent cleaning. Preventing Future Cracked Tongue Issues Here are ways to help prevent the development of a cracked tongue: Eat a balanced diet. That means a mix of proteins, vegetables, grain, fruits and nuts. Foods that have vitamins, zinc and iron will help you improve your oral health. Practice good oral hygiene. Taking time to clean your teeth, gums and tongue will go a long way toward improving your oral hygiene.
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