Geographic Tongue Causes and Treatment

What Causes Geographic Tongue?

Patches on the tongue are generally caused by a condition called geographic tongue due to the map-like appearance of the tongue. This condition occurs because of the presence of uneven patches that develop on the tongue. The upper part of the tongue is made up of papillae which are small projections on the surface. When a person is inflicted with geographic tongue, smooth red patches form on the surface of the tongue. These patches are surrounded by a grayish white border. The red patches have a dearth of papillae, while the borders are overloaded with them. These patches do not have definite shapes, may last for a few hours or days, and may appear and disappear indefinitely. They are often accompanied by pain. A burning or tingling sensation, numbness and fissures are also characteristic of the condition. People who are sensitive to various allergens or who suffer from eczema or asthma are prone to the condition and therefore they need to be extra cautious. Stress, vitamin deficiencies and hormonal changes can also cause geographic tongue.

Geographic Tongue Treatment

In most cases, geographic tongue is inherited. Geographic tongue could also be caused by an allergy to certain foods or oral care products. Certain types of cheese, candy, walnuts, eggplant and citrus foods are known to cause irritations of the tongue leading to patches. Sour foods or spicy foods also have the ability to cause geographic tongue. Hence, people who are prone to geographic tongue should avoid the consumption of these foods. Diets rich in sugar are also known to aggravate the condition, and should be avoided as far as possible. Tea and coffee should also be avoided as they can aggravate the condition. Fresh salads and fruits are beneficial in the treatment of geographic tongue as they are rich in fiber. The fiber content of these foods helps in flushing out the toxins responsible for the occurrence of this condition. Drinking plenty of water is also known to have a positive effect. During an outbreak, chewing on fresh mint leaves is believed to reduce the severity and duration of the condition.
The chemical composition of some teeth whiteners and mouthwashes tend to have a detrimental effect on the tongue, leading to the occurrence of these unattractive patches. If you have noticed that after the use of a certain dental whitener, mouthwash or toothpaste your tongue tends to break out into patches, discontinuing the use of the product immediately is recommended. The use of mild products or natural products is advisable in order to reduce the occurrence of the patches.