On an ordinary afternoon, Aunt Li walked into my office with a little annoyance. She told me that she had recently noticed strange changes in her tongue: the surface of the tongue was covered with tiny cracks and the edges were deeply tooth marks. This not only affected her taste, but also made her feel anxious. Aunt Li's problem is not unique. In fact, in daily life, many people suffer from similar problems, but often ignore the health problems that may be hidden behind these small symptoms. Cracked tongue and toothed tongue, although seemingly inconspicuous, are important signals of our oral health.
During our daily oral health check-ups, two specific tongue conditions can often be observed: cracked tongue and toothed tongue. Although these two conditions do not often cause serious health problems, they are a reflection of the physical condition and deserve our attention and understanding.
Cracked tongue: Not just a crack on the surface
Cracked tongue, as the name suggests, refers to the phenomenon of one or more cracks and grooves appearing on the surface of the tongue. These cracks vary in depth, length, and distribution. In some individuals, cracks may appear only in a part of the tongue; In others, the crack may spread over the entire surface of the tongue. Importantly, cracked tongues are usually not accompanied by pain, but there may be slight discomfort in some cases, such as when eating spicy foods.
Tooth mark tongue: An indicator of oral pressure
Tooth marks on the tongue are another common phenomenon that manifests as a tooth-marked, indentation of the edge of the tongue. This is usually caused by the prolonged contact pressure of the tongue with adjacent teeth in the closed state. A toothed tongue can be the result of an individual's specific oral structure, or it can be a sign of a poor bite or an abnormally sized tongue. Like cracked tongues, toothed tongues usually don't cause pain or severe discomfort, but they can be a warning sign of oral health.
The deeper meaning of the condition of the tongue
While these two tongue conditions don't cause serious problems in most cases, they can be indirect signs of other conditions in the body. For example, long-term malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, or underlying digestive problems may manifest themselves in the tongue. Therefore, understanding these tongue features is not just for the sake of oral aesthetics, but also for the overall health of the body.
Causes of cracked tongue
Cracked tongue, medically known as "cleft tongue", is a common oral phenomenon characterized by cracks of varying shades on the surface of the tongue. The causes are varied, including:
Genetic factors:Many studies have shown that cleft tongue is more common in some families, suggesting that genetic factors play an important role in its occurrence.
Malnutrition:Deficiencies in vitamin B complex, iron, zinc and other trace elements can affect the health of the oral mucosa, leading to the appearance of cracks.
Chronic irritation: Chronic irritation, such as long-term excessive smoking and drinking, spicy food intake, or long-term use of certain medications, can cause damage to the mucosa of the tongue.
Chronic Diseases:Certain chronic diseases, such as abnormal glucose metabolism (diabetes), gastrointestinal disorders, etc., may also be associated with the formation of a cracked tongue.
Tooth mark tongue, medically known as "tongue marks", is characterized by a depression that resembles a tooth mark at the edge of the tongue. The main causes include:
Swelling of the tongue:Swelling of the tongue due to allergies, infections or other causes makes the tongue larger and has more contact with the teeth, leaving tooth marks.
Structural problems in the mouth: such as misaligned teeth, too wide between teeth, etc., may also cause the tongue to be more susceptible to pressure from the teeth.
Lack of trace elements:Similar to cracked tongue, deficiency of trace elements, especially vitamin B complex, can also affect tongue health.
Other physical diseases:For example, increased blood pressure in the systemic arteries (hypertension) can lead to poor blood circulation and affect the health of oral tissues.
Conditioning of cracked tongue
Supplementation: Increase your intake of foods rich in B vitamins, iron, and zinc, such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, meat, etc.
Improving Lifestyle Habits:Quit smoking, limit alcohol, reduce spicy foods, and avoid long-term use of drugs that may cause damage to the oral mucosa.
Oral care: Perform regular oral cleaning, use non-irritating toothpaste and mouthwash.
Conditioning of the tooth mark tongue
Relieves pressure on the tongue:Adjust the alignment of the teeth through orthodontics and other methods to reduce the pressure on the tongue.
Relieves swelling of the tongue: Control your intake of foods that cause allergies, and consult your doctor about allergy medications if necessary.
Fortified Nutrition:As with cracked tongues, supplementation with trace elements is essential to restore tongue health.
Co-conditioning measures
Stay hydrated: Maintain adequate water intake to maintain the moisturization of the oral mucosa.
Avoid local irritation: Reduce the use of alcohol-based or harsh mouthwashes.
Regular checks:Get regular dental check-ups, especially if you have any unusual symptoms.