Would you consider your tongue "cracked" looking? If so, fear not! You may have a common condition known as a fissured tongue. If you're just now noticing that your tongue has some abnormal creases or grooves, it may be the first time you've really considered your tongue. As arguably the strongest muscle in your body, your tongue is usually one texture, with small little dots covering its top surface. While we're generally concerned with keeping our teeth and gums clean, the tongue is a critical part of our oral cavity too.
So now that you're noticing some unusual creases in yours, you may have questions about how to get rid of a fissured tongue, what causes it, and if it's related to other health conditions. To understand what a fissured tongue is, it's essential to get a good mental picture of a healthy tongue.
A healthy tongue is pink in color and covered in tiny bumps called papillae. The majority of these papillae are filiform papillae , which fill in most of the tongue's top surface. Other types of papillae include foliate, fungiform, and circumvallate papillae. The various papillae can grow and change at different rates, often changing the appearance of the tongue's surface.
We use the term "fissured tongue" as a descriptor for the tongue's appearance when there is a change in papillae's growth on its top surface. Its defining characteristic, cracks, and crevices can vary widely in number, length, and depth.
There is even sometimes a prominent crack down the center of the tongue. This condition can develop in childhood, but the creases and cracks tend to deepen with age. A fissured tongue is more common as we age, especially for older adults with dry mouth, notes the AAOM.
And while seeing deep creases in your tongue may be alarming at first, note that they are harmless. Don't worry about outside factors deepening or worsening your fissured tongue. You do not need to change your diet or stay away from specific oral care devices because of this condition.
While the exact cause of a fissured tongue is unknown, genetics could play a role. A fissured tongue may have links to several other health conditions:. Besides the above conditions, two other disorders can affect the tongue's appearance:. Both geographic tongue and median rhomboid glossitis are generally harmless, just like a fissured tongue. They can be safely monitored with a dental professional's routine assessment. If you see some little deep cracks on the surface of your tongue when you look at it in the mirror, they are likely nothing to worry about.
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…. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for oral thrush, which is a yeast infection in the mouth. What causes cracked tongue? Cracked tongue pictures. Cracked tongue causes. Cracked tongue treatment. Cleaning techniques.
When to see a doctor. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. What to know about fissured tongue.
Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Everything you need to know about geographic tongue. What causes tongue bumps? They may or may not be connected. Debris can sometimes get trapped in the cracks of deep grooves. As such, people with tongue cracks are encouraged to brush the top surface of their tongue to remove any debris. This will also help prevent irritation or infection from occurring. Sometimes a fissured tongue is seen alongside:. A fissured tongue has been associated with geographic tongue and psoriasis , especially pustular psoriasis.
People with a fissured tongue sometimes also have a condition known as geographic tongue. Usually, the entire surface of the tongue is covered with small, pink-white bumps. But with geographic tongue, patches of those tiny bumps are missing.
These patches are smooth and red, sometimes with slightly raised borders. Pustular psoriasis is a very uncommon form of psoriasis. It can cover the body with a combination of painful red skin and raised bumps fill with pus.
Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. It may include phototherapy and medication, such as:. If you have cracks in your tongue , you might have a fissured tongue. If your tongue is painful or has lesions alongside tongue cracks, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. They can help you find treatment to get relief. Fissured tongue is a benign condition that affects the surface of the tongue.
Learn about causes and related conditions.
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