Tongue disorders

/Home/Burning Mouth Syndrome Treatments/Medications for Burning Mouth Syndrome

The tongue performs a number of other functions besides tasting, such as talking, swallowing and chewing. Like other parts of the body, the tongue can signal a variety of systemic problems. One condition is called geographic tongue, where the tongue has smooth, red areas with white elevations of the papillae, which make the tongue's surface look like a landscape. The landscape changes daily as a result of normal tissue shedding in different areas of the tongue. It is not painful or serious. Another mild, but serious-looking, disorder is the hairy tongue, where the papillae grow too long and become black. Leukoplakia is an illness in which parts of the tongue and mouth are covered with a calloused, white coating. Thrush looks similar, characterized by raised, white patches bordered by red mucous membranes. Thrush typically begins on the tongue and spreads through the mouth. Wiping the coating away leaves raw, bleeding sores.
Most tongue disorders are due to vitamin deficiencies, medications, digestive problems and dietary changes. The cause of injury and irritation is usually obvious, caused by foods that are too spicy, acidic, or too hot or cold. Smoking, besides being a source of irritation, increases the risk of oral cancer. Allergies can cause sudden irritations with itching, redness and burning. Leukoplakia, which tends to occur in men between ages twenty-five and fifty-five, is likely the result of repeated exposure to irritating substances. Thrush is caused by a thriving candida infection, most common after a dose of antibiotics. Babies and the elderly, who have a low resistance, are more likely to experience thrush.
The continually changing landscape of the geographic tongue results from a frequent shedding of the tongue's papillae, which are the small bumps used for taste and adhesion. The cause is unknown, though inadequate amounts of B vitamins and changes in diet should be considered. The hairy tongue often occurs after antibiotic use, though irritants like mouthwashes also cause problems in some cases. A burning tongue is often a symptom of anemia, due to lack of iron or vitamin B12. Painful ulcers on the tongue tend to develop with cold sores or canker sores.
Supplements and herbs
Various tongue disorders can indicate nutritional deficiencies, especially in any of the B vitamins. Geographic tongue will often clear up with B vitamin supplements. A red, sore tongue associated with a sore mouth can indicate a niacin or a vitamin-B6 deficiency. If the tongue also becomes smooth and shiny, the body is likely to be lacking in folic acid or B12. A vitamin-B2 deficiency causes the tongue to turn purple, while a lack of pantothenic acid results in an enlarged, beefy tongue. Vitamin C deficiency causes canker sores in the mouth and on the tongue. Vitamins A and E are helpful for healing the mucous membranes.
Herbal remedies are excellent for treating stomach and digestive disorders, stimulating the taste buds and fighting infections which cause tongue disorders.
Burning tongue:
If burning tongue is due to a chronic deficiency of gastric acid, use bitter herbs to trigger the flow of stomach juices. Dandelion, wormwood, plantain, black radish and nettle juice are effective. Take 1 tbsp. of herbal juices three times daily.