Tongue disease can be caused by various things, ranging from a weak immune system to certain diseases, such as cancer. Although most tongue diseases can heal on their own, treatment steps also need to be taken if the condition does not improve.
The tongue is a very important organ for humans. Thanks to the tongue, we can talk, taste tastes, and chew and swallow food and drinks. Because its function is so important, of course we will feel disturbed if we experience tongue disease.
A healthy tongue is generally moist, pink in color, and covered by a thin whitish membrane on its surface. Changes in the color of the tongue from pink to another color can be a sign that the body is experiencing certain conditions.
This is one of the reasons why doctors often ask patients to stick out their tongue during medical examinations, in addition to seeing the condition of the larynx more clearly.
Some Signs and Symptoms of Diseases of the Tongue
The causes of tongue disease are very varied, ranging from congenital to lifestyle, such as the habit of consuming coffee and drinking alcoholic beverages. The causes of diseases or disorders of the tongue can be distinguished based on the symptoms that appear, namely:
Tongue changes color
A change in the color of the tongue to a bright pink color occurs when the body lacks folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, or is allergic to gluten. Meanwhile, the change in the tongue to a white color is usually caused by the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages, smoking, infections, and food residue that sticks to the tongue.
A red tongue is usually caused by a vitamin deficiency, Kawasaki disease, or scarlet fever caused by a bacterial infection. If your tongue turns black, this could be due to smoking, rarely brushing your teeth and tongue, or a side effect of medications, such as antibiotics and chemotherapy.
Tongue changes texture
The texture of the tongue that looks rough or black spots appear, most likely caused by antibiotics or smoking habits. Drinking too much coffee or using mouthwash, as well as exposure to radiation to the head or neck can also affect changes in the texture of the tongue.
Tongue hurts
Canker sores most often cause sore tongue. The cause can be due to food allergies, lack of vitamins and iron, the use of toothpaste and mouthwash made of hard, or accidentally biting the tongue while eating or talking.
Pain in the tongue can also be caused by inflammation of the papillae or taste buds. A person who has a habit of eating spicy food and wearing dentures or braces is also at risk for this condition.
Swollen tongue
Swollen tongue can be a symptom of medical conditions, such as Down syndrome, tongue cancer, leukemia, strep throat, anemia, and an overactive thyroid gland. If swelling of the tongue occurs suddenly, the cause may be an allergy.
Do not ignore the condition of a swollen tongue because it can cause difficulty breathing. Immediately visit a doctor for medical attention, especially if the tongue is swollen to the point where it is difficult for you to breathe.
Various Tongue Diseases and How to Overcome Them
The following are some types of tongue disease and how to overcome them:
1. Thrush
Canker sores are small sores on the tongue or in the mouth. Generally, thrush occurs due to a lack of vitamins and a weak immune system. Consumption of fruits with a sour taste and the use of braces can also be factors that cause canker sores.
Canker sores usually do not require special treatment. The pain will go away within 1-2 weeks. Clean your teeth and tongue regularly especially after eating and avoid spicy or acidic foods until the canker sore heals.
2. Koral andidiasis (oral thrush)
Oral candidiasis is a disease of the tongue caused by a fungal infection Candida albicans. This condition is characterized by the appearance of white patches on the tongue and the inside of the mouth. Oral candidiasis is more common in toddlers, the elderly, and denture users.
This tongue disease can be overcome by gargling with salt or 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in warm water every 2 times a day. An antifungal medication may also be prescribed by a dentist to treat this condition.
3. Lichen planus
Lichen planus is a disease that can attack the tongue. This condition occurs due to a disorder of the immune system and is characterized by the appearance of white patches and lines on the tongue and mouth.
Sometimes lichen planus can also cause other symptoms in the form of a burning sensation or pain in the tongue, discomfort in the mouth, and swollen, red, and painful gums.
Lichen planus mild cases generally do not require special handling, but you are recommended to regularly clean your mouth with mouthwash to relieve discomfort in the mouth. If the condition is getting worse or does not go away, the doctor will usually give corticosteroid drugs.
4. Geographic tongue (geographic tongue)
Geographic tongue is a condition when red spots appear with white edges. The cause of this disease is not known with certainty, but it is thought to be related to certain diseases, such as psoriasis and psoriasis lichen planus.
In fact, geographic tongue disease can heal by itself. However, you are advised to have yourself checked if within 2 weeks the spotting does not go away. Reduce consumption of spicy foods, acids, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes to prevent this disease from getting worse.
5. Chapped tongue (fconfirmed tongue)
Chapped tongue or fissured tongue characterized by the formation of gaps in the tongue, so that the tongue looks cracked. You do not need to worry because this condition is normal for the tongue. The cause of cracked tongue is thought to be genetically inherited, but further research is still needed.
In some conditions, cracked tongue does not require special treatment. To prevent a cracked tongue from becoming infected, it is recommended that you regularly clean your tongue because stuck food debris can cause infection.
6. Glossitis
Glossitis is an inflammation of the tongue that causes the tongue to become swollen and red. This tongue disease can sometimes make it difficult for sufferers to eat and talk.
Glossitis can be prevented and treated by maintaining regular dental and oral hygiene and consuming nutritious foods. In certain cases, glossitis needs to be treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids as prescribed by a doctor.
7. Burning tongue (burning mouth ssyndrome)
A burning or stinging tongue sensation is often experienced by women who are entering menopause. In addition to menopause, complaints of sore tongue can also be caused by allergies, the use of toothpaste or mouthwash made from harsh chemicals, immune system disorders, to stress.
To prevent and relieve sore tongue complaints, it is recommended that you avoid acidic foods and drinks, spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, and smoking. In addition, if the complaints are severe enough, you may need to get treatment from a doctor.
8. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a condition where white patches appear on the tongue. White patches on leukoplakia do not go away even if you clean them with a toothbrush. The cause of this condition is related to the habit of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
Generally, leukoplakia is harmless and painless. However, this disease can be an early symptom of oral cancer. This type of leukoplakia can be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is more common in people with low immune systems, such as people with HIV.
Treatment of leukoplakia is carried out under the supervision of a doctor and aims to remove enlarged white patches. Laser methods or surgery may be done if the leukoplakia is malignant (cancerous).
9. Tongue cancer
Tongue cancer is one type of cancer that can appear in the oral cavity. This tongue disease can be caused by various factors, such as HPV infection and smoking habits or consuming alcoholic beverages in the long term.
Tongue cancer in its early stages is often asymptomatic. However, over time, people with tongue cancer may experience symptoms in the form of canker sores on the tongue that do not heal for more than 2 weeks, bloody tongue, lumps on the tongue, and numbness of the tongue.
If you experience some of these symptoms, immediately see a doctor for an examination and get the right treatment.
In general, tongue disease is harmless and will heal on its own. However, there are also tongue diseases that are dangerous and need to be treated immediately by a doctor, such as tongue cancer.
To prevent various tongue diseases, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as regularly brushing your teeth and using dental floss, drinking enough water, consuming nutritious foods, and not smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages.
Don't forget to regularly check your teeth and mouth to the dentist every 6 months. This is important so that the doctor can evaluate the health condition of the tongue, teeth, gums, and mouth and provide appropriate treatment if you have tongue disease.